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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended May 31, 2019
Or
o
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the Transition Period from _______ to_______
Commission File Number 0-22496
SCHNITZERLOGOPRINTSMALL.JPG
SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

OREGON
 
93-0341923
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
299 SW Clay Street, Suite 350, Portland, Oregon
 
97201
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
  (503) 224-9900
(Registrant s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Trading Symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, $1.00 par value
 
SCHN
 
NASDAQ Global Select Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes    x     No   o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes   x     No   o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
x
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
Emerging growth company
o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   o    
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes   o     No   x
The Registrant had 26,578,576 shares of Class A common stock, par value of $1.00 per share, and 200,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value of $1.00 per share, outstanding as of June 24, 2019 .



SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
INDEX
 
 
PAGE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements and information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q by Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except as noted herein or as the context may otherwise require, all references to “we,” “our,” “us,” and “SSI” refer to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include statements regarding future events or our expectations, intentions, beliefs and strategies regarding the future, which may include statements regarding trends, cyclicality and changes in the markets we sell into; the Company’s outlook, growth initiatives or expected results or objectives, including pricing, margins, sales volumes and profitability; strategic direction or goals; targets; changes to manufacturing and production processes; the cost of and the status of any agreements or actions related to our compliance with environmental and other laws; expected tax rates, deductions and credits and the impact of federal tax reform; the impact of tariffs, quotas and other trade actions; the realization of deferred tax assets; planned capital expenditures; liquidity positions; ability to generate cash from continuing operations; the potential impact of adopting new accounting pronouncements; obligations under our retirement plans; benefits, savings or additional costs from business realignment, cost containment and productivity improvement programs; and the adequacy of accruals.
Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, and often contain words such as “outlook,” “target,” “aim,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “assumes,” “estimates,” “evaluates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “opinions,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “plans,” “future,” “forward,” “potential,” “probable,” and similar expressions. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
We may make other forward-looking statements from time to time, including in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases, presentations and on public conference calls. All forward-looking statements we make are based on information available to us at the time the statements are made, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. Our business is subject to the effects of changes in domestic and global economic conditions and a number of other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Some of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of Part I of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as supplemented by our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Examples of these risks include: potential environmental cleanup costs related to the Portland Harbor Superfund site or other locations; the cyclicality and impact of general economic conditions; changing conditions in global markets including the impact of tariffs, quotas and other trade actions; volatile supply and demand conditions affecting prices and volumes in the markets for both our products and raw materials we purchase; imbalances in supply and demand conditions in the global steel industry; the impact of goodwill impairment charges; the impact of long-lived asset and equity investment impairment charges; inability to achieve or sustain the benefits from productivity, cost savings and restructuring initiatives; difficulties associated with acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; customer fulfillment of their contractual obligations; increases in the relative value of the U.S. dollar; the impact of foreign currency fluctuations; potential limitations on our ability to access capital resources and existing credit facilities; restrictions on our business and financial covenants under our bank credit agreement; the impact of consolidation in the steel industry; inability to realize expected benefits from investments in technology; freight rates and the availability of transportation; the impact of equipment upgrades, equipment failures and facility damage on production; product liability claims; the impact of legal proceedings and legal compliance; the adverse impact of climate change; the impact of not realizing deferred tax assets; the impact of tax increases and changes in tax rules; the impact of one or more cybersecurity incidents; environmental compliance costs and potential environmental liabilities; inability to obtain or renew business licenses and permits or renew facility leases; compliance with climate change and greenhouse gas emission laws and regulations; reliance on employees subject to collective bargaining agreements; and the impact of the underfunded status of multiemployer plans in which we participate.


3


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Currency - U.S. Dollar)
 
May 31, 2019
 
August 31, 2018
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
8,119

 
$
4,723

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,675 and $2,586
167,988

 
169,418

Inventories
202,192

 
205,877

Refundable income taxes
3,979

 
4,668

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
35,071

 
63,673

Total current assets
417,349

 
448,359

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $759,453 and $731,561
437,456

 
415,711

Investments in joint ventures
10,632

 
11,532

Goodwill
168,946

 
168,065

Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $2,956 and $3,476
4,027

 
4,358

Deferred income taxes
28,528

 
30,333

Other assets
25,684

 
26,459

Total assets
$
1,092,622

 
$
1,104,817

Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings
$
1,234

 
$
1,139

Accounts payable
100,386

 
128,495

Accrued payroll and related liabilities
21,054

 
46,410

Environmental liabilities
5,769

 
6,682

Other accrued liabilities
48,495

 
71,951

Total current liabilities
176,938

 
254,677

Deferred income taxes
20,343

 
11,742

Long-term debt, net of current maturities
140,895

 
106,237

Environmental liabilities, net of current portion
45,512

 
47,150

Other long-term liabilities
15,230

 
14,901

Total liabilities
398,918

 
434,707

Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)

 

Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock – 20,000 shares $1.00 par value authorized, none issued

 

Class A common stock – 75,000 shares $1.00 par value authorized, 26,576 and 26,502 shares issued and outstanding
26,576

 
26,502

Class B common stock – 25,000 shares $1.00 par value authorized, 200 and 200 shares issued and outstanding
200

 
200

Additional paid-in capital
32,742

 
36,929

Retained earnings
668,933

 
639,684

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(39,423
)
 
(37,237
)
Total SSI shareholders’ equity
689,028

 
666,078

Noncontrolling interests
4,676

 
4,032

Total equity
693,704

 
670,110

Total liabilities and equity
$
1,092,622

 
$
1,104,817

The accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these statements.

4


SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Currency - U.S. Dollar)
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Revenues
$
547,396

 
$
652,416

 
$
1,584,981

 
$
1,695,138

Operating expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold
474,598

 
549,164

 
1,379,418

 
1,427,877

Selling, general and administrative
48,575

 
54,185

 
139,483

 
158,866

(Income) from joint ventures
(311
)
 
(772
)
 
(980
)
 
(1,328
)
Asset impairment charges (recoveries), net

 
(1,465
)
 
63

 
(1,553
)
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities
75

 
70

 
813

 
261

Operating income
24,459

 
51,234

 
66,184

 
111,015

Interest expense
(2,294
)
 
(2,483
)
 
(6,267
)
 
(6,823
)
Other income, net
29

 
403

 
373

 
1,353

Income from continuing operations before income taxes
22,194

 
49,154

 
60,290

 
105,545

Income tax expense
(5,762
)
 
(10,650
)
 
(13,733
)
 
(6,030
)
Income from continuing operations
16,432

 
38,504

 
46,557

 
99,515

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
8

 
(56
)
 
(202
)
 
72

Net income
16,440

 
38,448

 
46,355

 
99,587

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(750
)
 
(1,046
)
 
(1,585
)
 
(2,806
)
Net income attributable to SSI
$
15,690

 
$
37,402

 
$
44,770

 
$
96,781

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share attributable to SSI:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic:


 
 
 
 
 
 
Income per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI
$
0.57

 
$
1.35

 
$
1.63

 
$
3.49

Income (loss) per share from discontinued operations attributable to SSI

 

 
(0.01
)
 

Net income per share attributable to SSI (1)
$
0.57

 
$
1.35

 
$
1.63

 
$
3.49

Diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI
$
0.56

 
$
1.31

 
$
1.60

 
$
3.38

Income (loss) per share from discontinued operations attributable to SSI

 

 
(0.01
)
 

Net income per share attributable to SSI
$
0.56

 
$
1.31

 
$
1.59

 
$
3.38

Weighted average number of common shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
27,510

 
27,676

 
27,548

 
27,719

Diluted
28,074

 
28,636

 
28,184

 
28,646

Dividends declared per common share
$
0.1875

 
$
0.1875

 
$
0.5625

 
$
0.5625


 ____________________________
(1)
May not foot due to rounding.
The accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these statements.

5


SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited, in thousands)
(Currency - U.S. Dollar)
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net income
$
16,440

 
$
38,448

 
$
46,355

 
$
99,587

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(1,838
)
 
(414
)
 
(2,570
)
 
(2,006
)
Pension obligations, net
142

 
174

 
384

 
30

Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(1,696
)
 
(240
)
 
(2,186
)
 
(1,976
)
Comprehensive income
14,744

 
38,208

 
44,169

 
97,611

Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(750
)
 
(1,046
)
 
(1,585
)
 
(2,806
)
Comprehensive income attributable to SSI
$
13,994

 
$
37,162

 
$
42,584

 
$
94,805


The accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these statements.


6


SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(Unaudited, in thousands)
(Currency - U.S. Dollar)
Three Months Ended May 31, 2018
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Total SSI
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
Class A
 
Class B
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Balance as of March 1, 2018
26,906

 
$
26,906

 
200

 
$
200

 
$
39,609

 
$
552,977

 
$
(37,029
)
 
$
582,663

 
$
4,433

 
$
587,096

Net income

 

 

 

 

 
37,402

 

 
37,402

 
1,046

 
38,448

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 
(240
)
 
(240
)
 

 
(240
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(892
)
 
(892
)
Share repurchases
(166
)
 
(166
)
 

 

 
(5,011
)
 

 

 
(5,177
)
 

 
(5,177
)
Issuance of restricted stock
13

 
13

 

 

 
(13
)
 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock withheld for taxes
(4
)
 
(4
)
 

 

 
(138
)
 

 

 
(142
)
 

 
(142
)
Share-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 
5,720

 

 

 
5,720

 

 
5,720

Cash dividends

 

 

 

 

 
(5,251
)
 

 
(5,251
)
 

 
(5,251
)
Balance as of May 31, 2018
26,749

 
$
26,749

 
200

 
$
200

 
$
40,167

 
$
585,128

 
$
(37,269
)
 
$
614,975

 
$
4,587

 
$
619,562

Three Months Ended May 31, 2019
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Total SSI
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
Class A
 
Class B
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Balance as of March 1, 2019
26,575

 
$
26,575

 
200

 
$
200

 
$
29,135

 
$
658,424

 
$
(37,727
)
 
$
676,607

 
$
4,240

 
$
680,847

Net income

 

 

 

 

 
15,690

 

 
15,690

 
750

 
16,440

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,696
)
 
(1,696
)
 

 
(1,696
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(314
)
 
(314
)
Issuance of restricted stock
2

 
2

 

 

 
(2
)
 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock withheld for taxes
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

 

 
(20
)
 

 

 
(21
)
 

 
(21
)
Share-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 
3,629

 

 

 
3,629

 

 
3,629

Cash dividends

 

 

 

 

 
(5,181
)
 

 
(5,181
)
 

 
(5,181
)
Balance as of May 31, 2019
26,576

 
$
26,576

 
200

 
$
200

 
$
32,742

 
$
668,933

 
$
(39,423
)
 
$
689,028

 
$
4,676

 
$
693,704

The accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.



7


SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(Unaudited, in thousands)
(Currency - U.S. Dollar)
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2018
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Total SSI
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
Class A
 
Class B
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Balance as of September 1, 2017
26,859

 
$
26,859

 
200

 
$
200

 
$
38,050

 
$
503,770

 
$
(35,293
)
 
$
533,586

 
$
3,907

 
$
537,493

Net income

 

 

 

 

 
96,781

 

 
96,781

 
2,806

 
99,587

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,976
)
 
(1,976
)
 

 
(1,976
)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

 

 

 

 

 
517

 

 
517

 

 
517

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,709
)
 
(1,709
)
Share repurchases
(266
)
 
(266
)
 

 

 
(8,512
)
 

 

 
(8,778
)
 

 
(8,778
)
Issuance of restricted stock
257

 
257

 

 

 
(257
)
 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock withheld for taxes
(101
)
 
(101
)
 

 

 
(2,929
)
 

 

 
(3,030
)
 

 
(3,030
)
Share-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 
13,815

 

 

 
13,815

 

 
13,815

Purchase of noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
(183
)
 

 
(183
)
 
(417
)
 
(600
)
Cash dividends

 

 

 

 

 
(15,757
)
 

 
(15,757
)
 

 
(15,757
)
Balance as of May 31, 2018
26,749

 
$
26,749

 
200

 
$
200

 
$
40,167

 
$
585,128

 
$
(37,269
)
 
$
614,975

 
$
4,587

 
$
619,562

Nine Months Ended May 31, 2019
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Total SSI
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
Class A
 
Class B
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Balance as of September 1, 2018
26,502

 
$
26,502

 
200

 
$
200

 
$
36,929

 
$
639,684

 
$
(37,237
)
 
$
666,078

 
$
4,032

 
$
670,110

Net income

 

 

 

 

 
44,770

 

 
44,770

 
1,585

 
46,355

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 
(2,186
)
 
(2,186
)
 

 
(2,186
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(941
)
 
(941
)
Share repurchases
(413
)
 
(413
)
 

 

 
(9,674
)
 

 

 
(10,087
)
 

 
(10,087
)
Issuance of restricted stock
765

 
765

 

 

 
(765
)
 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock withheld for taxes
(278
)
 
(278
)
 

 

 
(7,185
)
 

 

 
(7,463
)
 

 
(7,463
)
Share-based compensation expense


 

 

 

 
13,437

 

 

 
13,437

 

 
13,437

Cash dividends

 

 

 

 

 
(15,521
)
 

 
(15,521
)
 

 
(15,521
)
Balance as of May 31, 2019
26,576

 
$
26,576

 
200

 
$
200

 
$
32,742

 
$
668,933

 
$
(39,423
)
 
$
689,028

 
$
4,676

 
$
693,704

The accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

8


SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, in thousands)
(Currency - U.S. Dollar)
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
46,355

 
$
99,587

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
39,644

 
37,009

Asset impairment charges (recoveries), net
63

 
(1,553
)
Exit-related asset impairments
23

 

Inventory write-downs
775

 
38

Share-based compensation expense
13,437

 
13,815

Deferred income taxes
9,402

 
(9,791
)
Undistributed equity in earnings of joint ventures
(980
)
 
(1,328
)
Loss on disposal of assets, net
252

 
203

Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain), net
86

 
(180
)
Bad debt expense, net
63

 
307

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(9,779
)
 
(61,557
)
Inventories
14,832

 
(58,047
)
Income taxes
689

 
(998
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(3,258
)
 
(7,249
)
Other long-term assets
735

 
(1,512
)
Accounts payable
(19,482
)
 
26,257

Accrued payroll and related liabilities
(25,315
)
 
2,346

Other accrued liabilities
(3,811
)
 
9,328

Environmental liabilities
(2,637
)
 
2,634

Other long-term liabilities
(4
)
 
3,307

Distributed equity in earnings of joint ventures
1,942

 
1,025

Net cash provided by operating activities
63,032

 
53,641

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(61,000
)
 
(46,096
)
Acquisitions
(1,553
)
 
(2,300
)
Joint venture receipts, net
641

 
4

Proceeds from sale of assets
1,641

 
3,397

Deposit on land option
1,260

 

Net cash used in investing activities
(59,011
)
 
(44,995
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Borrowings from long-term debt
316,676

 
426,480

Repayments of long-term debt
(282,932
)
 
(402,153
)
Payment of debt issuance costs
(102
)
 

Repurchases of Class A common stock
(10,087
)
 
(8,778
)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of share-based payment awards
(7,463
)
 
(3,030
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
(941
)
 
(1,709
)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest

 
(600
)
Dividends paid
(15,600
)
 
(15,721
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(449
)
 
(5,511
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
(176
)
 
(332
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
3,396

 
2,803

Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period
4,723

 
7,287

Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period
$
8,119

 
$
10,090

The accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these statements.


9



 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2019
 
2018
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
 
 
 
Cash paid during the year for:
 
 
 
Interest
$
4,831

 
$
5,923

Income taxes paid, net
$
3,436

 
$
13,785

Schedule of noncash investing and financing transactions:
 
 
 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment included in current liabilities
$
9,839

 
$
8,105

The accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these statements.

10



SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) have been prepared pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for Form 10-Q, including Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. In the opinion of management, all normal, recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. Management suggests that these Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 . The results for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2019 and 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the entire fiscal year.
Accounting Changes
As of the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company adopted an accounting standards update initially issued in May 2014 that clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Company adopted the new revenue accounting standard using the modified retrospective approach, which requires recognition of the cumulative effect of initially applying the new requirements as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of initial application. Adoption of the new requirements did not change the timing of revenue recognition for the Company compared to the previous guidance, and the Company recorded no cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of September 1, 2018. The Company identified certain scrap purchase and sale arrangements for which it recognized revenue for the gross amount of consideration it expected to be entitled to from the customer (as principal) under the previous revenue guidance, but for which under the new revenue standard it recognizes revenue as the net amount of consideration that it expects to retain after paying the scrap metal supplier (as agent). The foregoing change in the classification of the cost of scrap metal purchased under such arrangements has the effect of reducing the amount of revenue and cost of goods sold reported in the financial statements, while having no impact on net income. If the Company had continued using the accounting guidance in effect before the adoption of the new revenue accounting standard, its consolidated revenues for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2019 would have been higher by approximately $8 million and $21 million , respectively, or 1% for each period, and its consolidated cost of goods sold would have been higher by the same amounts, respectively. No other line items in the consolidated financial statements were materially impacted by adoption of the new requirements. Comparative prior period amounts and disclosures continue to be reported in accordance with guidance in effect prior to the date of adoption. See Note 7 - Revenue for the disclosures required under the new standard.
As of the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company adopted an accounting standards update that amends certain aspects of the reporting model for financial instruments. The most pertinent amendment to the Company is that an entity may choose to measure certain equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes. The amendments also require a qualitative assessment to identify impairment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values. Adoption of the requirements had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include short-term securities that are not restricted by third parties and have an original maturity date of 90 days or less. Included in accounts payable are book overdrafts representing outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit of $25 million and $28 million as of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , respectively.
Accounts Receivable, net
Accounts receivable represent amounts primarily due from customers on product and other sales. These accounts receivable, which are reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts, are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The Company extends credit to customers under contracts containing customary and explicit payment terms, and payment is generally required

11

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


within 30 days of shipment. Nonferrous export sales typically require a deposit prior to shipment. Historically, almost all of the Company’s ferrous export sales have been made with letters of credit. Domestic ferrous metal sales, nonferrous metal sales and finished steel sales are generally made on open account, and the majority of these sales are covered by credit insurance.
The Company evaluates the collectibility of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors, including whether sales were made pursuant to letters of credit or credit insurance is in place. In cases where management is aware of circumstances that may impair a customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations, management records a specific allowance against amounts due and reduces the receivable to the amount the Company believes will be collected. For all other customers, the Company maintains an allowance that considers the total receivables outstanding, historical collection rates and economic trends. Accounts are written off when all efforts to collect have been exhausted.
Also included in accounts receivable are short-term advances to scrap metal suppliers used as a mechanism to acquire unprocessed scrap metal. The advances are generally repaid with scrap metal, as opposed to cash. Repayments of advances with scrap metal are treated as noncash operating activities in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and totaled  $12 million and $11 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Prepaid Expenses
The Company’s prepaid expenses totaled  $15 million  and  $22 million  as of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , respectively, and consisted primarily of prepaid insurance, prepaid services and deposits on capital purchases.
Other Assets
The Company’s other assets, exclusive of prepaid expenses, consist primarily of receivables from insurers, spare parts, an equity investment, debt issuance costs, and notes and other contractual receivables. Other assets are reported within either prepaid expenses and other current assets or other assets in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets based on their expected use either during or beyond the current operating cycle of one year from the reporting date. Receivables from insurers totaled  $16 million  and  $36 million  as of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , respectively, with the decrease in fiscal 2019 resulting from the settlement of a contingent loss recorded during fiscal 2018 in connection with lawsuits arising from a motor vehicle collision for which the Company had insurance coverage. See “Contingencies – Other” in  Note 5  – Commitments and Contingencies for further discussion of the contingent loss and subsequent settlements in fiscal 2019 .
The Company invested $6 million in the equity of a privately-held waste and recycling entity in fiscal 2017. The equity investment does not have a readily determinable fair value and, therefore, is carried at cost and adjusted for impairments and observable price changes. The investment is presented as part of the Auto and Metals Recycling (“AMR”) reportable segment and reported within other assets in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The carrying value of the investment was $6 million as of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 . The Company has not recorded any impairments or upward or downward adjustments to the carrying value of the investment since acquisition.
Long-Lived Assets
Changes in circumstances may merit a change in the estimated useful lives or salvage values of individual long-lived assets, which are accounted for prospectively in the period of change. For such assets, the useful life is shortened based on the Company’s plans to dispose of or abandon the asset before the end of its original useful life and depreciation is accelerated beginning when that determination is made. During the nine months ended May 31, 2018, the Company recognized accelerated depreciation of $1 million due to shortening the useful lives of decommissioned machinery and equipment assets in the Cascade Steel and Scrap (“CSS”) reportable segment, which is reported within asset impairment charges (recoveries), net in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
Also, during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2018, the Company sold previously impaired assets consisting primarily of machinery and equipment, recognizing a gain of $2 million and $3 million , respectively, which are reported within asset impairment charges (recoveries), net in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

12

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and notes and other contractual receivables. The majority of cash and cash equivalents is maintained with major financial institutions. Balances with these and certain other institutions exceeded the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured amount of $250,000 as of May 31, 2019 . Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited because a large number of geographically diverse customers make up the Company’s customer base. The Company controls credit risk through credit approvals, limits, insurance, letters of credit or other collateral, cash deposits and monitoring procedures. The Company is exposed to a residual credit risk with respect to open letters of credit by virtue of the possibility of the failure of a bank providing a letter of credit. The Company had $75 million and $58 million of open letters of credit as of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , respectively.

Note 2 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, an accounting standard was issued that will supersede the existing lease standard and require a lessee to recognize a lease liability and a lease asset on its balance sheet for all leases, including those classified as operating leases under the existing lease standard. The update also expands the required quantitative and qualitative disclosures surrounding leases. Additional updates have been issued since February 2016 amending aspects of the initial update, including providing an additional and optional transition method for adoption. This standard is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2020, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company expects to initially apply the requirements by recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment, if any, to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company is in the process of analyzing its population of leases within the scope of the new accounting standard and documenting salient lease terms to support the initial and subsequent measurement of lease liabilities and lease assets. The Company is also assessing and implementing changes to its processes, systems, and internal controls as a result of the new guidance. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures, and it expects to recognize a material amount of lease assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet upon adoption.

Note 3 - Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
May 31, 2019
 
August 31, 2018
Processed and unprocessed scrap metal
$
90,839

 
$
111,658

Semi-finished goods
9,293

 
15,551

Finished goods
58,554

 
39,809

Supplies
43,506

 
38,859

Inventories
$
202,192

 
$
205,877



Note 4 - Goodwill

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually on July 1 and upon the occurrence of certain triggering events or substantive changes in circumstances that indicate that the fair value of goodwill may be impaired. There were no triggering events identified during the first nine months of fiscal 2019 requiring an interim goodwill impairment test. As of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , all but $1 million of the Company’s goodwill was carried by a single reporting unit within AMR.
The gross change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended May 31, 2019 was as follows (in thousands):
 
Goodwill
August 31, 2018
$
168,065

Acquisition
1,575

Foreign currency translation adjustment
(694
)
May 31, 2019
$
168,946



13

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


In the second quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company acquired certain assets of an auto recycling business in northern California for $2 million . The acquisition qualified as a business combination under the accounting rules and resulted in the recognition of $2 million of goodwill during the second quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company allocated the acquired goodwill to the reporting unit within the AMR operating segment which carries nearly all of the Company’s goodwill.
Accumulated goodwill impairment charges were $471 million as of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 .

Note 5 - Commitments and Contingencies

Contingencies - Environmental
The Company evaluates the adequacy of its environmental liabilities on a quarterly basis. Adjustments to the liabilities are made when additional information becomes available that affects the estimated costs to study or remediate any environmental issues or expenditures are made for which liabilities were established.
Changes in the Company’s environmental liabilities for the nine months ended May 31, 2019 were as follows (in thousands):
Balance as of August 31, 2018
 
Liabilities Established (Released), Net
 
Payments and Other
 
Balance as of May 31, 2019
 
Short-Term
 
Long-Term
$
53,832

 
$
292

 
$
(2,843
)
 
$
51,281

 
$
5,769

 
$
45,512


Recycling Operations
As of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , the Company’s recycling operations had environmental liabilities of $51 million and $54 million , respectively, for the potential remediation of locations where it has conducted business or has environmental liabilities from historical or recent activities. The liabilities relate to the investigation and potential future remediation of contaminated sediments and riverbanks, soil contamination, groundwater contamination, storm water runoff issues and other natural resource damages. Except for Portland Harbor and certain liabilities discussed under Other Legacy Environmental Loss Contingencies immediately below, such liabilities were not individually material at any site.
Portland Harbor
In December 2000, the Company was notified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) that it is one of the potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) that own or operate or formerly owned or operated sites which are part of or adjacent to the Portland Harbor Superfund site (the “Site”). The precise nature and extent of cleanup of any specific areas within the Site, the parties to be involved, the timing of any specific remedial action and the allocation of the costs for any cleanup among responsible parties have not yet been determined. The process of site investigation, remedy selection, identification of additional PRPs and allocation of costs has been underway for a number of years, but significant uncertainties remain. It is unclear to what extent the Company will be liable for environmental costs or natural resource damage claims or third party contribution or damage claims with respect to the Site.
While the Company participated in certain preliminary Site study efforts, it was not party to the consent order entered into by the EPA with certain other PRPs, referred to as the “Lower Willamette Group” (“LWG”), for a remedial investigation/feasibility study (“RI/FS”). During fiscal 2007, the Company and certain other parties agreed to an interim settlement with the LWG under which the Company made a cash contribution to the LWG RI/FS. The LWG has indicated that it had incurred over $115 million  in investigation-related costs over an approximately 10 year period working on the RI/FS. Following submittal of draft RI and FS documents which the EPA largely rejected, the EPA took over the RI/FS process.
The Company has joined with approximately 100 other PRPs, including the LWG members, in a voluntary process to establish an allocation of costs at the Site, including the costs incurred by the LWG in the RI/FS process. The LWG members have also commenced federal court litigation, which has been stayed, seeking to bring additional parties into the allocation process.
In January 2008, the Portland Harbor Natural Resource Trustee Council (“Trustee Council”) invited the Company and other PRPs to participate in funding and implementing the Natural Resource Injury Assessment for the Site. Following meetings among the Trustee Council and the PRPs, funding and participation agreements were negotiated under which the participating PRPs, including the Company, agreed to fund the first phase of the three-phase natural resource damage assessment. Phase 1, which included the development of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Plan (“AP”) and implementation of several early studies, was substantially completed in 2010. In December 2017, the Company joined with other participating PRPs in agreeing to fund Phase 2 of the natural resource damage assessment, which includes the implementation of the AP to develop information sufficient to facilitate early settlements between the Trustee Council and Phase 2 participants and the identification of restoration projects to

14

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


be funded by the settlements. In late May 2018, the Trustee Council published notice of its intent to proceed with Phase 3, which will involve the full implementation of the AP and the final injury and damage determination. The Company is proceeding with the process established by the Trustee Council regarding early settlements under Phase 2. It is uncertain whether the Company will enter into an early settlement for natural resource damages or what costs it may incur in any such early settlement.
On January 30, 2017, one of the Trustees, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, which withdrew from the council in 2009, filed a suit against approximately 30 parties, including the Company, seeking reimbursement of certain past and future response costs in connection with remedial action at the Site and recovery of assessment costs related to natural resources damages from releases at and from the Site to the Multnomah Channel and the Lower Columbia River. The parties have filed various motions to dismiss or stay this suit, which motions are pending. The Company intends to defend against the claims in this suit and does not have sufficient information to determine the likelihood of a loss in this matter or to estimate the amount of damages being sought or the amount of such damages that could be allocated to the Company.
Estimates of the cost of remedial action for the cleanup of the in-river portion of the Site have varied widely in various drafts of the FS and in the EPA’s final FS issued in June 2016 ranging from approximately $170 million  to over  $2.5 billion  (net present value), depending on the remedial alternative and a number of other factors. In comments submitted to the EPA, the Company and certain other stakeholders identified a number of serious concerns regarding the EPA’s risk and remedial alternatives assessments, cost estimates, scheduling assumptions and conclusions regarding the feasibility and effectiveness of remediation technologies.
In January 2017, the EPA issued a Record of Decision (“ROD”) that identified the selected remedy for the Site. The selected remedy is a modified version of one of the alternative remedies evaluated in the EPA’s FS that was expanded to include additional work at a greater cost. The EPA has estimated the total cost of the selected remedy at $1.7 billion with a net present value cost of $1.05 billion (at a 7% discount rate) and an estimated construction period of 13 years following completion of the remedial designs. In the ROD, the EPA stated that the cost estimate is an order-of-magnitude engineering estimate that is expected to be within + 50% to -30% of the actual project cost and that changes in the cost elements are likely to occur as a result of new information and data collected during the engineering design. The Company has identified a number of concerns regarding the remedy described in the ROD, which is based on data that is more than a decade old, and the EPA’s estimates for the costs and time required to implement the selected remedy. Because of ongoing questions regarding cost effectiveness, technical feasibility, and the use of stale data, it is uncertain whether the ROD will be implemented as issued. In addition, the ROD did not determine or allocate the responsibility for remediation costs among the PRPs.
In the ROD, the EPA acknowledged that much of the data used in preparing the ROD was more than a decade old and would need to be updated with a new round of “baseline” sampling to be conducted prior to the remedial design phase. Accordingly, the ROD provided for additional pre-remedial design investigative work and baseline sampling to be conducted in order to provide a baseline of current conditions and delineate particular remedial actions for specific areas within the Site. This additional sampling needs to occur prior to proceeding with the next phase in the process which is the remedial design. The remedial design phase is an engineering phase during which additional technical information and data will be collected, identified and incorporated into technical drawings and specifications developed for the subsequent remedial action. Moreover, the ROD provided only Site-wide cost estimates and did not provide sufficient detail to estimate costs for specific sediment management areas within the Site. Following issuance of the ROD, EPA proposed that the PRPs, or a subgroup of PRPs, perform the additional investigative work identified in the ROD under a new consent order.
In December 2017, the Company and three other PRPs entered into a new Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent with EPA to perform such pre-remedial design investigation and baseline sampling over a two year period. The Company estimated that its share of the costs of performing such work would be approximately $2 million , which it recorded to environmental liabilities and selling, general and administrative expense in the consolidated financial statements in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company believes that such costs will be fully covered by existing insurance coverage and, thus, also recorded an insurance receivable for $2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, resulting in no net impact to the Company’s consolidated results of operations in that period. As of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , the Company’s loss contingencies include $1 million and $2 million , respectively, for its estimated share of the costs of the investigation, including pre-remedial design investigative activities.
The pre-remedial design investigation and baseline sampling work has been completed, and the report evaluating the data was submitted to EPA on June 17, 2019. The evaluation report concludes that Site conditions have improved substantially since the data forming the basis of the ROD was collected over a decade ago. The analysis contained in the report has significant implications for remedial design and remedial action at the Site. The report is subject to review and comment by EPA.
EPA has stated that it wants PRPs to step forward (individually or in groups) to enter into consent agreements to perform remedial design covering the entire Site and has proposed dividing the Site into eight to ten subareas for remedial design. EPA has indicated that it may pursue enforcement or other actions against PRPs in areas where good-faith negotiations to perform remedial design

15

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


are not underway by June 30, 2019. The Company is engaged in good-faith negotiations with EPA with respect to potentially performing remedial design; but it is unclear whether the Company will reach agreement with EPA, and the timing for completion of remedial design is uncertain.
Except for certain early action projects in which the Company is not involved, remediation activities are not expected to commence for a number of years. In addition, as discussed above, responsibility for implementing and funding the remedy will be determined in a separate allocation process. The Company does not expect the next major stage of the allocation process to proceed until early 2020.
Because there has not been a determination of the specific remediation actions that will be required, the amount of natural resource damages or the allocation of costs of the investigations and any remedy and natural resource damages among the PRPs, the Company believes it is not possible to reasonably estimate the amount or range of costs which it is likely to or which it is reasonably possible that it will incur in connection with the Site, although such costs could be material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. Among the facts currently being developed are detailed information on the history of ownership of and the nature of the uses of and activities and operations performed on each property within the Site, which are factors that will play a substantial role in determining the allocation of investigation and remedy costs among the PRPs. The Company has insurance policies that it believes will provide reimbursement for costs it incurs for defense (including the pre-remedial design investigative activities), remedial design, remedial action and mitigation for natural resource damages claims in connection with the Site, although there is no assurance that those policies will cover all of the costs which the Company may incur.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is separately providing oversight of voluntary investigations and source control activities by the Company involving the Company’s sites adjacent to the Portland Harbor which are focused on controlling any current “uplands” releases of contaminants into the Willamette River. No liabilities have been established in connection with these investigations because the extent of contamination (if any) and the Company’s responsibility for the contamination (if any) have not yet been determined.
Other Legacy Environmental Loss Contingencies
The Company’s environmental loss contingencies as of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , other than Portland Harbor, include actual or possible investigation and cleanup costs from historical contamination at sites formerly operated by the Company or at other sites where the Company may have responsibility for such costs due to past disposal or other activities (“legacy environmental loss contingencies”). These legacy environmental loss contingencies relate to the potential remediation of waterways and soil and groundwater contamination and may also involve natural resource damages, governmental fines and penalties and claims by third parties for personal injury and property damage. The Company has been notified that it is or may be a potentially responsible party at certain of these sites, and investigation and cleanup activities are ongoing or may be required in the future. The Company recognizes a liability for such matters when the loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. When investigation and cleanup activities are ongoing or where the Company has not yet been identified as having responsibility or the contamination has not yet been identified, it is reasonably possible that the Company may need to recognize additional liabilities in connection with such sites but the Company cannot currently reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss absent additional information or developments. Such additional liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company accrued  $4 million  in expense at its Corporate division for the estimated costs related to remediation of shredder residue disposed of in or around the 1970s at third-party sites located near each other. Investigation activities have been conducted under oversight of the applicable state regulatory agency. As of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , the Company had $4 million accrued for this matter. It is reasonably possible that the Company may recognize additional liabilities in connection with this matter at the time such losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. The Company currently estimates a range of reasonably possible losses related to this matter in excess of current accruals at between  zero  and  $28 million  based on a range of remedial alternatives and subject to development and approval by regulators of a specific remedy implementation plan. The Company is investigating whether a portion or all of the current and future losses related to this matter, if incurred, are covered by existing insurance coverage or may be offset by contributions from other responsible parties.
In addition, the Company’s loss contingencies as of  May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018  include  $7 million  and $6 million , respectively, for the estimated costs related to remediation of soil and groundwater conditions, including penalties, in connection with a closed facility owned and previously operated by an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary. Investigation activities have been conducted under the oversight of the applicable state regulatory agency, and the Company has also been working with local officials with respect to the protection of public water supplies. It is reasonably possible that the Company may recognize additional liabilities, including penalties, in connection with this matter at the time such additional losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. However, the Company cannot reasonably estimate at this time the possible loss or range of possible losses associated

16

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


with this matter pending completion of on-going studies and determination of remediation plans and pending further negotiations to settle the related enforcement matter.
Steel Manufacturing Operations
The Company’s steel manufacturing operations had no known environmental liabilities as of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 .
The steel mill’s electric arc furnace generates dust (“EAF dust”) that is classified as hazardous waste by the EPA because of its zinc and lead content. As a result, the Company captures the EAF dust and ships it in specialized rail cars to firms that apply treatments that allow for the ultimate disposal of the EAF dust.
The Company’s steel mill has an operating permit issued under Title V of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, which governs certain air quality standards. The permit is based on an annual production capacity of approximately 950 thousand tons. The Company’s permit was first issued in 1998 and has since been renewed through February 1, 2018. The permit renewal process occurs every five years , and the renewal process is underway; however, the existing permit is extended by administrative rule until the current renewal process is finalized.
Summary - Environmental Contingencies
With respect to environmental contingencies other than the Portland Harbor Superfund site and the other legacy environmental loss contingencies, which are discussed separately above, management currently believes that adequate provision has been made for the potential impact of these issues and that the ultimate outcomes will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as a whole. Historically, the amounts the Company has ultimately paid for such remediation activities have not been material in any given period, but there can be no assurance that such amounts paid will not be material in the future.
Contingencies - Other
Schnitzer Southeast, LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, “SSE”), an SSE employee, the Company and one of the Company’s insurance carriers had been named as defendants in five separate wrongful death lawsuits filed in the State of Georgia arising from an accident in 2016 in Alabama involving a tractor trailer driven by the SSE employee and owned by SSE. In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company settled  two  of the  five  lawsuits for a total of  $20 million , which amount has been paid and was substantially covered by insurance. In addition to amounts accrued for the  two  lawsuits settled and paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company accrued  $10 million  reflecting its estimate of the probable loss related to the three  unresolved lawsuits and recorded a  $10 million  insurance receivable in fiscal 2018, resulting in no net impact to the Company’s consolidated results of operations. It is reasonably possible that the Company may recognize additional losses in connection with these unresolved lawsuits at the time such additional losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Such additional losses may be material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. To the extent that circumstances change and the Company determines that an additional loss is reasonably possible, can be reasonably estimated, and is material, the Company would then disclose an estimate of the additional possible loss or range of loss. The Company believes that such additional losses, if incurred, would be substantially covered by existing insurance coverage.
The Company is a party to various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. The Company recognizes a liability for such matters when the loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. The Company does not anticipate that the resolution of legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business, after taking into consideration expected insurance recoveries, will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.



17

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 6 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, comprise the following (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended May 31, 2019
 
Three Months Ended May 31, 2018
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
 
Pension Obligations, Net
 
Total
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
 
Pension Obligations, Net
 
Total
Balances - March 1
(Beginning of period)
$
(34,861
)
 
$
(2,866
)
 
$
(37,727
)
 
$
(33,420
)
 
$
(3,609
)
 
$
(37,029
)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
(1,838
)
 

 
(1,838
)
 
(414
)
 

 
(414
)
Income tax benefit

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax
(1,838
)
 

 
(1,838
)
 
(414
)
 

 
(414
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

 
184

 
184

 

 
225

 
225

Income tax benefit

 
(42
)
 
(42
)
 

 
(51
)
 
(51
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 
142

 
142

 

 
174

 
174

Net periodic other comprehensive income (loss)
(1,838
)
 
142

 
(1,696
)
 
(414
)
 
174

 
(240
)
Balances - May 31
(End of period)
$
(36,699
)
 
$
(2,724
)
 
$
(39,423
)
 
$
(33,834
)
 
$
(3,435
)
 
$
(37,269
)

 
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2018
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
 
Pension Obligations, Net
 
Total
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
 
Pension Obligations, Net
 
Total
Balances - September 1
(Beginning of period)
$
(34,129
)
 
$
(3,108
)
 
$
(37,237
)
 
$
(31,828
)
 
$
(3,465
)
 
$
(35,293
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
(2,570
)
 
208

 
(2,362
)
 
(2,006
)
 
(185
)
 
(2,191
)
Income tax (expense) benefit

 
(46
)
 
(46
)
 

 
227

 
227

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax
(2,570
)
 
162

 
(2,408
)
 
(2,006
)
 
42

 
(1,964
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

 
288

 
288

 

 
365

 
365

Income tax benefit

 
(66
)
 
(66
)
 

 
(377
)
 
(377
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 
222

 
222

 

 
(12
)
 
(12
)
Net periodic other comprehensive income (loss)
(2,570
)
 
384

 
(2,186
)
 
(2,006
)
 
30

 
(1,976
)
Balances - May 31
(End of period)
$
(36,699
)
 
$
(2,724
)
 
$
(39,423
)
 
$
(33,834
)
 
$
(3,435
)
 
$
(37,269
)

In the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company adopted an accounting standard update that allows for a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”) enacted on December 22, 2017. Reclassifications from AOCI to retained earnings for stranded tax effects in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, both individually and in the aggregate, were not material. Reclassifications from AOCI to earnings,

18

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


both individually and in the aggregate, were not material to the impacted captions in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for all periods presented.

Note 7 - Revenue

The Company recognizes revenue upon satisfying its promises to transfer goods or services to customers under the terms of its contracts. Nearly all of these promises, referred to as performance obligations, consist of the transfer of physical goods, including ferrous and nonferrous recycled scrap metal, autobodies, auto parts, and finished steel products, to customers. These performance obligations are satisfied at the point in time the Company transfers control of the goods to the customer, which in nearly all cases is when title to and risk of loss of the goods transfer to the customer. The timing of transfer of title and risk of loss is dictated by customary or explicitly stated contract terms. For example, the Company recognizes revenue on partially loaded bulk shipments of ferrous recycled scrap metal when contractual terms support revenue recognition based on transfer of title and risk of loss. The significant majority of the Company’s sales involve transfer of control to the customer, and thus revenue recognition, before delivery to the customer’s destination; for example, upon release of the goods to the shipper. Shipping and handling activities that occur after a customer has obtained control of a good are accounted for as fulfillment costs rather than an additional promise in a contract. As such, shipping and handling consideration (freight revenue) is recognized when control of the goods transfers to the customer, and freight expense is accrued when the related revenue is recognized.
In certain regional markets, the Company enters into contracts whereby it arranges for, or brokers, the transfer of scrap material between scrap suppliers and end customers. For transactions in which the Company obtains substantive control of the scrap material before the goods are transferred to the end customer, for example by arranging for the processing or warehousing of the material, the Company recognizes revenue equal to the gross amount of the consideration it expects to receive from the customer (as principal). Alternatively, for transactions in which the Company does not obtain substantive control of the scrap material before the product is transferred to the end customer, the Company recognizes revenue equal to the net amount of the consideration it expects to retain after paying the supplier for the purchase of the scrap metal (as agent). The Company is the agent in the transaction for the substantial majority of brokerage arrangements.
Nearly all of the Company’s sales contracts reflect market pricing at the time the contract is executed, are one year or less, and generally provide for shipment within 30 to 60 days after the price has been agreed upon with the customer. The Company’s retail auto parts sales are at listed prices and are recognized at the point of sale.
The Company recognizes revenue based on contractually stated selling prices and quantities shipped, adjusted for estimated claims and discounts. Claims are customary in the recycled scrap metal industry and arise from variances in the quantity or quality of delivered products. Revenue adjustments may be required if the settlement of claims exceeds original estimates. Discounts offered to certain finished steel customers qualify as variable consideration as the discounts are contingent upon future events. Variable consideration arising from discounts is recognized upon the transfer of finished steel products to customers based upon either the expected value or the most likely amount and was not material for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2019 . The Company experiences very few sales returns and, therefore, no material provisions for returns have been made when sales are recognized. During the three and nine months ended May 31, 2019 , revenue adjustments related to performance obligations that were satisfied in previous periods were not material.

19

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Disaggregation of Revenues
The table below illustrates the Company’s revenues disaggregated by major product and sales destination for each reportable segment (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended May 31, 2019
 
AMR
 
CSS
 
Intersegment Revenues
 
Total
Revenues by major product:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ferrous
$
280,362

 
$
14,208

 
$
(2,697
)
 
$
291,873

Nonferrous
112,785

 
10,376

 
(329
)
 
122,832

Steel

 
96,626

 

 
96,626

Retail and other
35,876

 
221

 
(32
)
 
36,065

Total revenues
$
429,023

 
$
121,431

 
$
(3,058
)
 
$
547,396

Revenues based on sales destination:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign
$
273,128

 
$
25,242

 
$

 
$
298,370

Domestic
155,895

 
96,189

 
(3,058
)
 
249,026

Total revenues
$
429,023

 
$
121,431

 
$
(3,058
)
 
$
547,396


 
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2019
 
AMR
 
CSS
 
Intersegment Revenues
 
Total
Revenues by major product:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ferrous
$
836,662

 
$
41,071

 
$
(7,846
)
 
$
869,887

Nonferrous
316,450

 
28,522

 
(856
)
 
344,116

Steel

 
271,988

 

 
271,988

Retail and other
98,388

 
634

 
(32
)
 
98,990

Total revenues
$
1,251,500

 
$
342,215

 
$
(8,734
)
 
$
1,584,981

Revenues based on sales destination:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign
$
753,696

 
$
69,396

 
$

 
$
823,092

Domestic
497,804

 
272,819

 
(8,734
)
 
761,889

Total revenues
$
1,251,500

 
$
342,215

 
$
(8,734
)
 
$
1,584,981


Receivables from Contracts with Customers
The revenue accounting standard defines a receivable as an entity’s right to consideration that is unconditional, meaning that only the passage of time is required before payment is due. As of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , receivables from contracts with customers, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts, totaled $164 million representing 98% and 97% , respectively, of total accounts receivable reported on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Contract Liabilities
Contract consideration received from a customer prior to revenue recognition is recorded as a contract liability and is recognized as revenue when the Company satisfies the related performance obligation under the terms of the contract. The Company’s contract liabilities consist almost entirely of customer deposits for recycled scrap metal sales contracts, which are reported within accounts payable on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and totaled $3 million and $9 million as of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , respectively. Unsatisfied performance obligations reflected in these contract liabilities relate to contracts with original expected durations of one year or less. During the three and nine months ended May 31, 2019 , the Company reclassified less than $1 million and $8 million , respectively, in customer deposits as of August 31, 2018 to revenues as a result of satisfying performance obligations during the respective periods.


20

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 8 - Share-Based Compensation
    
In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, as part of the annual awards under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee”) granted 261,642 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and 254,620 performance share awards to the Company’s key employees and officers under the Company’s 1993 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan (“SIP”).
The RSUs have a five-year term and vest  20%  per year commencing on October 31, 2019. The aggregate fair value of all of the RSUs granted was based on the market closing price of the underlying Class A common stock on the grant date and totaled $7 million . The compensation expense associated with the RSUs is recognized over the requisite service period of the awards, net of forfeitures, or to the date retirement eligibility is achieved (if before the end of the service period).
The performance share awards comprise two separate and distinct awards with different vesting conditions.
The Compensation Committee granted 123,812 performance share awards based on a relative Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) metric over a performance period spanning November 15, 2018 to August 31, 2021. Award share payouts range from a threshold of 50% to a maximum of 200% based on the relative ranking of the Company’s TSR among a designated peer group of 16 companies. The TSR award stipulates certain limitations to the payout in the event the payout reaches a defined ceiling level or the Company’s TSR is negative. The TSR awards contain a market condition and, therefore, once the award recipients complete the requisite service period, the related compensation expense based on the grant-date fair value is not changed, regardless of whether the market condition has been satisfied. The estimated fair value of the TSR awards at the date of grant was $4 million . The Company estimated the fair value of the TSR awards using a Monte-Carlo simulation model utilizing several key assumptions including expected Company and peer company share price volatility, correlation coefficients between peers, the risk-free rate of return, the expected dividend yield and other award design features.
The remaining 130,808 performance share awards have a three-year performance period consisting of the Company’s 2019, 2020 and 2021 fiscal years. The performance targets are based on the Company’s return on capital employed over the three-year performance period, with award payouts ranging from a threshold of 50%  to a maximum of  200% . The fair value of the awards granted was based on the market closing price of the underlying Class A common stock on the grant date and totaled $4 million .
The compensation expense associated with performance share awards is recognized over the requisite service period of the awards, net of estimated forfeitures, or to the date a qualifying employment termination event entitles the recipient to a pro-rated award (if before the end of the service period). Performance share awards will be paid in Class A common stock as soon as practicable after the end of the requisite service period and vesting date of October 31, 2021.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company granted deferred stock units (“DSUs”) to each of its non-employee directors under the Company’s SIP. Each DSU gives the director the right to receive one share of Class A common stock at a future date. The grant included an aggregate of 31,218 shares that will vest in full on the day before the Company’s 2020 annual meeting of shareholders, subject to continued Board service. The total value of these awards at the grant date was $1 million .

Note 9 - Income Taxes

On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States signed and enacted into law comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Act, which, except for certain provisions, is effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018. The Tax Act’s primary change is a reduction in the federal statutory corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% , resulting in a pro rata reduction for the Company from 35% to 25.7% for fiscal 2018 and a full reduction to 21% for fiscal 2019. As a change in tax law is accounted for in the period of enactment, the Company recognized a discrete benefit of $7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 due to the revaluation of U.S. net deferred tax liabilities to reflect the lower statutory rate. The Company’s effective tax rate in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2018 also reflected application of the Tax Act’s lower federal statutory corporate tax rate to fiscal 2018 projected taxable income at the time. The Company’s accounting for the impacts of the Tax Act was complete as of November 30, 2018.

21

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Effective Tax Rate
The Company’s effective tax rate from continuing operations for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2019 was an expense of 26.0% and 22.8% , respectively, compared to an expense of 21.7% and 5.7% , respectively, for the comparable prior year periods. The effective tax rate from continuing operations for the first nine months of fiscal 2018 was lower than the federal statutory rate of 25.7% primarily due to the lower projected annual effective tax rate applied to quarterly results and discrete benefits recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 comprising $7 million resulting from enactment of the Tax Act and $7 million from the release of valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets.
Valuation Allowances
The Company assesses the realizability of its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis through an analysis of potential sources of future taxable income, including prior year taxable income available to absorb a carryback of tax losses, reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, tax planning strategies, and forecasts of taxable income. The Company considers all negative and positive evidence, including the weight of the evidence, to determine if valuation allowances against deferred tax assets are required. As discussed above in this section, in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company released valuation allowances against certain U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets resulting in a discrete tax benefit of $7 million . The release of these valuation allowances was the result of sufficient positive evidence at the time, including cumulative income in recent years and projections of future taxable income based primarily on the Company’s improved financial performance, that it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. The Company continues to maintain valuation allowances against certain U.S. federal, state, Canadian and all Puerto Rican deferred tax assets.
The Company files federal and state income tax returns in the U.S. and foreign tax returns in Puerto Rico and Canada. For U.S. federal income tax returns, fiscal years 2013 to 2018 remain subject to examination under the statute of limitations.

Note 10 - Net Income Per Share

The following table sets forth the information used to compute basic and diluted net income per share attributable to SSI (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
   
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Income from continuing operations
$
16,432

 
$
38,504

 
$
46,557

 
$
99,515

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(750
)
 
(1,046
)
 
(1,585
)
 
(2,806
)
Income from continuing operations attributable to SSI
15,682

 
37,458

 
44,972

 
96,709

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
8

 
(56
)
 
(202
)
 
72

Net income attributable to SSI
$
15,690

 
$
37,402

 
$
44,770

 
$
96,781

Computation of shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic
27,510

 
27,676

 
27,548

 
27,719

Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive performance share, RSU and DSU awards
564

 
960

 
636

 
927

Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted
28,074

 
28,636

 
28,184

 
28,646


Common stock equivalent shares of 388,766 and 283,483 were considered antidilutive and were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2019 , respectively. No common stock equivalent shares were considered antidilutive for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2018 .
 
Note 11 - Related Party Transactions

The Company purchases recycled metal from its joint venture operations at prices that approximate fair market value. These purchases totaled $4 million and $5 million for the three months ended May 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, and  $11 million and $12 million  for the  nine months ended  May 31, 2019  and  2018 , respectively.


22

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 12 - Segment Information

The accounting standards for reporting information about operating segments define an operating segment as a component of an enterprise that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses for which discrete financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.
The Company’s internal organizational and reporting structure includes two operating and reportable segments: the Auto and Metals Recycling (“AMR”) business and the Cascade Steel and Scrap (“CSS”) business.
AMR acquires and recycles ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal for sale to foreign and domestic metal producers, processors and brokers, and procures salvaged vehicles and sells serviceable used auto parts from these vehicles through a network of self-service auto parts stores. These auto parts stores also supply the Company’s shredding facilities with autobodies that are processed into saleable recycled scrap metal.
CSS operates a steel mini-mill that produces a range of finished steel long products using recycled scrap metal and other raw materials. CSS’s steel mill obtains substantially all of its recycled scrap metal raw material requirements from its integrated metals recycling and joint venture operations. CSS’s metals recycling operations also sell recycled metal to external customers primarily in export markets.
The Company holds noncontrolling ownership interests in joint ventures, which are either in the metals recycling business or are suppliers of unprocessed metal. The joint ventures sell recycled scrap metal to AMR and to CSS at prices that approximate local market rates, which produces intercompany profit. This intercompany profit is eliminated while the products remain in inventory and is not recognized until the finished products are sold to third parties. The Company’s allocable portion of the results of these joint ventures is reported within the segment results. As of  May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , the Company had  two   50% -owned joint venture interests, one  presented as part of AMR operations, and  one  presented as part of CSS operations. Income from joint ventures for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2018 includes the results of two additional 50%  joint venture interests presented as part of AMR operations which dissolved in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.
Intersegment sales from AMR to CSS are made at prices that approximate local market rates. These intercompany sales tend to produce intercompany profit which is not recognized until the finished products are ultimately sold to third parties.
The information provided below is obtained from internal information that is provided to the Company’s chief operating decision maker for the purpose of corporate management. The Company uses segment operating income to measure segment performance. The Company does not allocate corporate interest income and expense, income taxes and other income and expense to its reportable segments. Certain expenses related to shared services that support operational activities and transactions are allocated from Corporate to the segments. Unallocated Corporate expense consists primarily of expense for management and certain administrative services that benefit both reportable segments. In addition, the Company does not allocate certain items to segment operating income because management does not include the information in its measurement of the performance of the operating segments. Such unallocated items include restructuring charges and other exit-related activities, activities related to legacy environmental matters, and provisions for certain legal matters. Because of the unallocated income and expense, the operating income of each reportable segment does not reflect the operating income the reportable segment would report as a stand-alone business. The results of discontinued operations are excluded from segment operating income and are presented separately, net of tax, from the results of ongoing operations for all periods presented.
The table below illustrates the Company’s revenues from continuing operations by reportable segment (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AMR:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
429,023

 
$
529,611

 
$
1,251,500

 
$
1,377,450

Less intersegment revenues
(3,058
)
 
(7,271
)
 
(8,734
)
 
(19,086
)
AMR external customer revenues
425,965

 
522,340

 
1,242,766

 
1,358,364

CSS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
121,431

 
130,076

 
342,215

 
336,774

Total revenues
$
547,396

 
$
652,416

 
$
1,584,981

 
$
1,695,138



23

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The table below illustrates the reconciliation of the Company’s segment operating income to income from continuing operations before income taxes (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
AMR
$
29,189

 
$
54,980

 
$
73,947

 
$
135,284

CSS
8,116

 
10,793

 
25,802

 
24,682

Segment operating income
37,305

 
65,773

 
99,749

 
159,966

Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities
(75
)
 
(70
)
 
(813
)
 
(261
)
Corporate and eliminations
(12,771
)
 
(14,469
)
 
(32,752
)
 
(48,690
)
Operating income
24,459

 
51,234

 
66,184

 
111,015

Interest expense
(2,294
)
 
(2,483
)
 
(6,267
)
 
(6,823
)
Other income, net
29

 
403

 
373

 
1,353

Income from continuing operations before income taxes
$
22,194

 
$
49,154

 
$
60,290

 
$
105,545


The following is a summary of the Company’s total assets by reportable segment (in thousands):
 
May 31, 2019
 
August 31, 2018
AMR (1)
$
1,533,071

 
$
1,485,626

CSS (1)
760,338

 
740,967

Total segment assets
2,293,409

 
2,226,593

Corporate and eliminations (2)
(1,200,787
)
 
(1,121,776
)
Total assets
$
1,092,622

 
$
1,104,817

_____________________________
(1)
AMR total assets include $3 million and $4 million for an investment in a joint venture as of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , respectively. CSS total assets include $8 million for an investment in a joint venture as of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 .     
(2)
The substantial majority of Corporate and eliminations total assets consist of Corporate intercompany payables to the Company’s operating segments and     intercompany eliminations.


24

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This section includes a discussion of our operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2019 and 2018 . The following discussion and analysis provides information which management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our financial condition and results of operations. The discussion should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2018 , and the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

General
Founded in 1906, Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”), an Oregon corporation, is one of North America’s largest recyclers of ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal, including end-of-life vehicles, and a manufacturer of finished steel products.
Our internal organizational and reporting structure includes two operating and reportable segments: the Auto and Metals Recycling (“AMR”) business and the Cascade Steel and Scrap (“CSS”) business.
AMR sells ferrous and nonferrous recycled scrap metal in both foreign and domestic markets. AMR acquires, processes and recycles autobodies, rail cars, home appliances, industrial machinery, manufacturing scrap and construction and demolition scrap through its 91 auto and metals recycling facilities. Our largest source of autobodies is our own network of retail auto parts stores, which operate under the commercial brand-name Pick-n-Pull. AMR procures salvaged vehicles and sells serviceable used auto parts from these vehicles through its 51 self-service auto parts stores located across the United States and Western Canada. Upon acquiring a salvaged vehicle, we remove catalytic converters, aluminum wheels and batteries for separate processing and sale prior to placing the vehicle in our retail lot. After retail customers have removed desired parts from a vehicle, we may remove remaining major component parts containing ferrous and nonferrous materials, which are primarily sold to wholesalers. The remaining autobodies are crushed and shipped to our metals recycling facilities to be shredded, or sold to third parties where geographically more economical. AMR then processes mixed and large pieces of scrap metal into smaller pieces by crushing, torching, shearing, shredding and sorting, resulting in scrap metal pieces of a size, density and metal content required by customers to meet their production needs.
CSS operates a steel mini-mill in McMinnville, Oregon that produces a range of finished steel long products such as reinforcing bar (rebar) and wire rod. CSS sells its finished steel products to industrial customers located primarily in the Western U.S. and Western Canada. The primary feedstock for the manufacture of its products is ferrous recycled scrap metal. CSS’s steel mill obtains substantially all of its scrap metal raw material requirements from its integrated metals recycling and joint venture operations. CSS’s metals recycling operations include a collection, shredding and export operation in Portland, Oregon, four feeder yard operations located in Oregon and Southern Washington, and one metals recycling joint venture ownership interest. Additionally, CSS purchases small volumes of ferrous scrap metal from AMR and sells ferrous and nonferrous recycled scrap metal into the export market.
We use segment operating income to measure our segment performance. We do not allocate corporate interest income and expense, income taxes and other income and expense to our reportable segments. Certain expenses related to shared services that support operational activities and transactions are allocated from Corporate to the segments. Unallocated Corporate expense consists primarily of expense for management and certain administrative services that benefit both reportable segments. In addition, we do not allocate certain items to segment operating income because management does not include the information in its measurement of the performance of the operating segments. Such unallocated items include restructuring charges and other exit-related activities, activities related to legacy environmental matters, and provisions for certain legal matters. Because of the unallocated income and expense, the operating income of each reportable segment does not reflect the operating income the reportable segment would report as a stand-alone business. The results of discontinued operations are excluded from segment operating income and are presented separately, net of tax, from the results of ongoing operations for all periods presented.
For further information regarding our reportable segments, see Note 12 - Segment Information in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report.
Our results of operations depend in large part on the demand and prices for recycled metal in foreign and domestic markets and on the supply of raw materials, including end-of-life vehicles, available to be processed at our facilities. We respond to changes in selling prices for processed metal by seeking to adjust purchase prices for unprocessed scrap metal in order to manage the impact on our operating income. We believe we generally benefit from sustained periods of rising recycled scrap metal selling prices, which allow us to better maintain or increase both operating income and unprocessed scrap metal flow into our facilities. When recycled scrap metal selling prices decline, particularly for a sustained period, our operating margins typically compress.
Our deep water port facilities on both the East and West Coasts of the U.S. (in Everett, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; Oakland, California; Tacoma, Washington; and Portland, Oregon) and access to public deep water port facilities (in Kapolei, Hawaii and Salinas, Puerto Rico) allow us to efficiently meet the global demand for recycled ferrous metal by enabling us to ship bulk cargoes to steel manufacturers located in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, North America, Central America and South America. Our exports of nonferrous recycled metal are shipped in containers through various public docks to specialty steelmakers, foundries, aluminum sheet and ingot manufacturers, copper refineries and smelters, brass and bronze ingot manufacturers, wire and cable producers, wholesalers, and other recycled metal processors globally. We also transport both ferrous and nonferrous metals by truck, rail and barge in order to transfer scrap metal between our facilities for further processing, to load shipments at our export facilities, and to meet regional domestic demand.
Our quarterly operating results fluctuate based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, changes in market conditions for ferrous and nonferrous recycled metal and finished steel products, the supply of scrap metal in our domestic markets, and varying demand for used auto parts from our self-service retail stores. Certain of these factors are influenced, to a degree, by the impact of seasonal changes including severe weather conditions, which can impact the timing of shipments and inhibit construction activity utilizing our products, scrap metal collection at our facilities, and retail admissions and parts sales at our auto parts stores. Further, trade actions, including tariffs and any retaliation by affected countries, can impact profit on sales of our products and, in certain cases, impede our ability to sell to certain export markets or require us to direct our sales to alternative market destinations, which can cause our quarterly operating results to fluctuate.

25

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

Executive Overview of Financial Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2019
We generated consolidated revenues of $547 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 , a decrease of 16% from the $652 million of consolidated revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 , primarily reflecting weaker market conditions for recycled metals globally resulting in lower average net selling prices for our ferrous and nonferrous products compared to the prior year quarter. Finished steel revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 decreased by 7% compared to the prior year quarter reflecting the impact of lower finished steel sales volumes.
Consolidated operating income was $24 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 , compared to $51 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 . Adjusted consolidated operating income was $27 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 , compared to $50 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 . See the reconciliation of adjusted consolidated operating income in Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this Item 2.
AMR reported operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 of $29 million , compared to $55 million in the prior year period. The decrease in AMR operating results compared to the prior year quarter was primarily the result of operating margin compression from the decline in average net selling prices for our ferrous and nonferrous products which outpaced the reduction in purchase costs for raw materials, partially offset by the benefits from productivity initiatives. The lower average ferrous selling prices in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 primarily reflect the weaker price environment for recycled metals in our domestic markets and the effects of tariffs and other regulatory measures on demand for recycled metals in our export markets. The lower average nonferrous selling prices in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 primarily resulted from reduced demand for nonferrous products globally, as well as the continued effects of Chinese import restrictions and tariffs on certain nonferrous products put into place during the second half of fiscal 2018.
CSS reported operating income of $8 million in the third quarter of 2019 , compared to $11 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting lower finished steel sales volumes, compounded by a decrease in finished steel margins primarily resulting from high beginning inventory costs and the impact of a temporary spike in natural gas prices in March 2019, partially offset by the benefits from productivity initiatives. In the third quarter of fiscal 2018, CSS experienced significant finished steel margin expansion from selling prices increasing faster than raw material purchase prices.
Consolidated selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 decreased by $6 million , or 10% , compared to the prior year period primarily due to a decrease in employee-related expenses, including from lower incentive compensation accruals, partially offset by a $2 million charge related to the settlement of a wage and hour class action lawsuit.
In fiscal 2019, we are implementing productivity initiatives aimed at delivering $35 million in annual benefits in order to mitigate the weaker price environment in the ferrous and nonferrous markets. We expect these benefits to be achieved through a combination of production cost efficiencies, reductions in SG&A expenses and increases in retail sales. Of the total, approximately 75% of the targeted benefits are in AMR with the remainder split between CSS and Corporate. We expect to achieve at least 80% of the total targeted benefits in fiscal 2019 with the full amount expected to be achieved in fiscal 2020. In the third quarter of fiscal 2019, we achieved approximately $9 million in benefits as a result of these initiatives.
Net income from continuing operations attributable to SSI in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 was $16 million , or $0.56 per diluted share, compared to $37 million , or $1.31 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter. Adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to SSI in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 was  $18 million , or  $0.63  per diluted share, compared to  $36 million , or  $1.26 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter. See the reconciliation of adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to SSI in Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this Item 2.
The following items further highlight selected liquidity and capital structure metrics:
For the first nine months of fiscal 2019 , net cash provided by operating activities of $63 million , compared to $54 million in the prior year comparable period;
Debt of $142 million as of May 31, 2019 , compared to $107 million as of August 31, 2018 ;
Debt, net of cash, of $134 million as of May 31, 2019 , compared to $103 million as of August 31, 2018 (see the reconciliation of debt, net of cash, in Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this Item 2); and
Share repurchases totaling $10 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 , compared to $9 million in the prior year comparable period.


26

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

Results of Operations
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
($ in thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
% Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
% Change
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto and Metals Recycling
$
429,023

 
$
529,611

 
(19
)%
 
$
1,251,500

 
$
1,377,450

 
(9
)%
Cascade Steel and Scrap
121,431

 
130,076

 
(7
)%
 
342,215

 
336,774

 
2
 %
Intercompany revenue eliminations (1)
(3,058
)
 
(7,271
)
 
(58
)%
 
(8,734
)
 
(19,086
)
 
(54
)%
Total revenues
547,396

 
652,416

 
(16
)%
 
1,584,981

 
1,695,138

 
(6
)%
Cost of goods sold:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto and Metals Recycling
367,765

 
441,089

 
(17
)%
 
1,082,782

 
1,144,937

 
(5
)%
Cascade Steel and Scrap
109,622

 
115,344

 
(5
)%
 
305,420

 
301,197

 
1
 %
Intercompany cost of goods sold eliminations (1)
(2,789
)
 
(7,269
)
 
(62
)%
 
(8,784
)
 
(18,257
)
 
(52
)%
Total cost of goods sold
474,598

 
549,164

 
(14
)%
 
1,379,418

 
1,427,877

 
(3
)%
Selling, general and administrative expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto and Metals Recycling
32,075

 
35,058

 
(9
)%
 
94,849

 
98,537

 
(4
)%
Cascade Steel and Scrap
3,998

 
4,660

 
(14
)%
 
11,832

 
12,468

 
(5
)%
Corporate (2)
12,502

 
14,467

 
(14
)%
 
32,802

 
47,861

 
(31
)%
Total selling, general and administrative expense
48,575

 
54,185

 
(10
)%
 
139,483

 
158,866

 
(12
)%
(Income) loss from joint ventures:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto and Metals Recycling
(6
)
 
(51
)
 
(88
)%
 
(141
)
 
157

 
(190
)%
Cascade Steel and Scrap
(305
)
 
(721
)
 
(58
)%
 
(839
)
 
(1,485
)
 
(44
)%
Total (income) from joint ventures
(311
)
 
(772
)
 
(60
)%
 
(980
)
 
(1,328
)
 
(26
)%
Asset impairment charges (recoveries), net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto and Metals Recycling

 
(1,465
)
 
NM

 
63

 
(1,465
)
 
NM

Cascade Steel and Scrap

 

 
NM

 

 
(88
)
 
NM

Total asset impairment charges (recoveries), net

 
(1,465
)
 
NM

 
63

 
(1,553
)
 
NM

Operating income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto and Metals Recycling
29,189

 
54,980

 
(47
)%
 
73,947

 
135,284

 
(45
)%
Cascade Steel and Scrap
8,116

 
10,793

 
(25
)%
 
25,802

 
24,682

 
5
 %
Segment operating income
37,305

 
65,773

 
(43
)%
 
99,749

 
159,966

 
(38
)%
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities (3)
(75
)
 
(70
)
 
7
 %
 
(813
)
 
(261
)
 
211
 %
Corporate expense (2)
(12,502
)
 
(14,467
)
 
(14
)%
 
(32,802
)
 
(47,861
)
 
(31
)%
Change in intercompany profit elimination (4)
(269
)
 
(2
)
 
NM

 
50

 
(829
)
 
NM

Total operating income
$
24,459

 
$
51,234

 
(52
)%
 
$
66,184

 
$
111,015

 
(40
)%
_____________________________
NM = Not Meaningful
(1)
AMR sells a small portion of its recycled ferrous metal to CSS at prices that approximate local market rates. These intercompany revenues and cost of goods sold are eliminated in consolidation.
(2)
Corporate expense consists primarily of unallocated expenses for management and certain administrative services that benefit both reportable segments.
(3)
Restructuring charges consist of expense for severance, contract termination and other restructuring costs that management does not include in its measurement of the performance of the reportable segments. Other exit-related activities consist primarily of asset impairments and accelerated depreciation, net of gains on exit-related disposals, related to site closures.
(4)
Intercompany profits are not recognized until the finished products are sold to third parties; therefore, intercompany profit is eliminated while the products remain in inventory.

27

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

We operate our business across two reportable segments: AMR and CSS. Additional financial information relating to these reportable segments is contained in Note 12 - Segment Information in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report.
Auto and Metals Recycling
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
($ in thousands, except for prices)
2019
 
2018
 
% Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
% Change
Ferrous revenues
$
280,362

 
$
363,566

 
(23
)%
 
$
836,662

 
$
926,236

 
(10
)%
Nonferrous revenues
112,785

 
127,288

 
(11
)%
 
316,450

 
348,019

 
(9
)%
Retail and other revenues
35,876

 
38,757

 
(7
)%
 
98,388

 
103,195

 
(5
)%
Total segment revenues
429,023

 
529,611

 
(19
)%
 
1,251,500

 
1,377,450

 
(9
)%
Segment operating income
$
29,189

 
$
54,980

 
(47
)%
 
$
73,947

 
$
135,284

 
(45
)%
Average ferrous recycled metal sales prices ($/LT): (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic
$
268

 
$
314

 
(15
)%
 
$
282

 
$
286

 
(1
)%
Export
$
303

 
$
347

 
(13
)%
 
$
302

 
$
328

 
(8
)%
Average
$
293

 
$
337

 
(13
)%
 
$
295

 
$
316

 
(7
)%
Ferrous sales volume (LT, in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic
311

 
293

 
6
 %
 
994

 
770

 
29
 %
Export
627

 
690

 
(9
)%
 
1,721

 
1,906

 
(10
)%
Total ferrous sales volume (LT, in thousands)
938

 
983

 
(5
)%
 
2,715

 
2,676

 
1
 %
Average nonferrous sales price ($/pound) (1)(2)
$
0.62

 
$
0.74

 
(16
)%
 
$
0.60

 
$
0.73

 
(18
)%
Nonferrous sales volume (pounds, in thousands) (2)
153,936

 
146,043

 
5
 %
 
448,112

 
404,729

 
11
 %
Cars purchased (in thousands) (3)
102

 
109

 
(6
)%
 
285

 
319

 
(11
)%
Number of auto parts stores at period end
51

 
53

 
(4
)%
 
51

 
53

 
(4
)%
_____________________________
LT = Long Ton, which is equivalent to 2,240 pounds
(1)
Price information is shown after netting the cost of freight incurred to deliver the product to the customer.
(2)
Average sales price and volume information excludes platinum group metals (“PGMs”) in catalytic converters.
(3)
Cars purchased by auto parts stores only.
AMR Segment Revenues
Revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2019 decreased by 19% and 9% , respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year primarily reflecting the weaker market environment for recycled metals globally, resulting in lower average net selling prices for our ferrous and nonferrous products compared to the prior year periods. Domestic ferrous sales volumes in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 increased by 29% compared to the prior year period, partially offsetting the adverse impact of the weaker ferrous export market conditions in the same period. Nonferrous revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2019 decreased by 11% and 9% , respectively, compared to the prior year periods primarily reflecting reduced demand for nonferrous products globally, as well as the continued impact of Chinese import restrictions and tariffs on certain nonferrous products put into place during the second half of fiscal 2018.

28

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

AMR Segment Operating Income
Operating income in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2019 was $29 million and $74 million , respectively, compared to $55 million and $135 million , respectively, in the comparable prior year periods. The decrease in AMR operating results in fiscal 2019 was primarily the result of operating margin compression from the decline in average net selling prices for our ferrous and nonferrous products which outpaced the reduction in purchase costs for raw materials. The lower average ferrous and nonferrous selling prices in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 reflect the effects of tariffs and other regulatory measures on demand for recycled metals in our export markets, the weaker price environment for recycled metals in our domestic markets in the third quarter, and reduced demand for nonferrous products globally. AMR operating results in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 were also adversely impacted by unusually severe winter weather conditions, primarily during the second quarter of fiscal 2019, which contributed to decreased scrap supply flows into our facilities, including end-of-life vehicles, compared to the prior year period. The adverse effects of lower average net selling prices for recycled metals were partially offset by benefits from productivity initiatives and positive contributions from a limited-duration contract. This contract, which is expected to be substantially completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, provides a high margin source of supply and benefited AMR operating income by $4 million and $19 million, respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2019, compared to $7 million and $14 million, respectively, for the comparable prior year periods. AMR selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2019 decreased by $3 million , or 9% , and $4 million , or 4% , respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year primarily due to lower employee-related expenses, including from reduced incentive compensation accruals.
Cascade Steel and Scrap
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
($ in thousands, except for price)
2019
 
2018
 
% Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
% Change
Steel revenues (1)
$
96,626

 
$
103,726

 
(7
)%
 
$
271,988

 
$
265,714

 
2
 %
Recycling revenues (2)
24,805

 
26,350

 
(6
)%
 
70,227

 
71,060

 
(1
)%
Total segment revenues
121,431

 
130,076

 
(7
)%
 
342,215

 
336,774

 
2
 %
Segment operating income
$
8,116

 
$
10,793

 
(25
)%
 
$
25,802

 
$
24,682

 
5
 %
Finished steel average sales price ($/ST) (3)
$
703

 
$
703

 
 %
 
$
728

 
$
642

 
13
 %
Finished steel sales volume (ST, in thousands)
130

 
140

 
(7
)%
 
343

 
392

 
(13
)%
Rolling mill utilization (4)
98
%
 
91
%
 
8
 %
 
87
%
 
90
%
 
(3
)%
___________________________
ST = Short Ton, which is equivalent to 2,000 pounds
(1)
Steel revenues include primarily sales of finished steel products, semi-finished goods (billets) and steel manufacturing scrap.
(2)
Recycling revenues include primarily sales of ferrous and nonferrous recycled scrap metal to export markets.
(3)
Price information is shown after netting the cost of freight incurred to deliver the product to the customer.
(4)
Rolling mill utilization is based on effective annual production capacity under current conditions of 580 thousand tons of finished steel products.
CSS Segment Revenues
Revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 decreased by $9 million , or 7% , compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to lower finished steel sales volumes and decreased export sales of ferrous recycled scrap metal. Revenues in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 increased by $5 million , or 2% , compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to significantly higher average net selling prices for our finished steel products, partially offset by lower finished steel sales volumes. The higher average net selling prices for our finished steel products in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 primarily reflect the impact of reduced pressure from steel imports compared to the prior year period.
CSS Segment Operating Income
Operating income in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2019 was $8 million and $26 million , respectively, compared to $11 million and $25 million , respectively, in the comparable prior year periods. Decreased operating results in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to the prior year quarter primarily reflect the impact of lower finished steel sales volumes, compounded by decreased finished steel margins primarily resulting from high beginning inventory costs and the impact of a temporary spike in natural gas prices in March 2019, partially offset by the benefits from productivity initiatives. In the third quarter of fiscal 2018, CSS experienced significant finished steel margin expansion from selling prices increasing faster than raw material purchase prices. Operating results in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 primarily reflect higher finished steel margins driven by the effects of the higher price environment, offset by lower finished steel sales volumes, compared to the prior year period.

29

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

Corporate
Corporate SG&A expense for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 decreased by $2 million , or 14% , compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to decreased employee-related expenses, including from lower incentive compensation accruals, partially offset by a $2 million charge related to the settlement of a wage and hour class action lawsuit. Corporate SG&A expense for the first nine months of fiscal 2019 decreased by $15 million , or 31% , compared to the prior year period primarily due to decreased employee-related expenses, including from lower incentive compensation accruals, and lower legal and professional services expenses. The first nine months of fiscal 2018 also included a $4 million legacy environmental accrual recorded in the first quarter.
Productivity Initiatives and Restructuring Charges
In fiscal 2019, we are implementing productivity initiatives aimed at delivering $35 million in annual benefits in order to mitigate the weaker price environment in the ferrous and nonferrous markets. We expect these benefits to be achieved through a combination of production cost efficiencies, reductions in SG&A expenses and increases in retail sales. Of the total, approximately 75% of the targeted benefits are in AMR with the remainder split between CSS and Corporate. We expect to achieve at least 80% of the total targeted benefits in fiscal 2019 with the full amount expected to be achieved in fiscal 2020. In the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2019, we achieved approximately $9 million and $20 million, respectively, in benefits as a result of these initiatives. Consolidated operating income from continuing operations in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2019 included restructuring charges related to these initiatives of less than $1 million, consisting primarily of severance costs. We do not expect to incur significant restructuring charges in future periods related to these initiatives.
Income Tax
On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States signed and enacted into law comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”), which, except for certain provisions, is effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018. The Tax Act’s primary change is a reduction in the federal statutory corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% , resulting in a pro rata reduction for the Company from 35% to 25.7% for fiscal 2018 and a full reduction to 21% for fiscal 2019. As a change in tax law is accounted for in the period of enactment, we recognized a provisional discrete benefit of $7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 due to the revaluation of U.S. net deferred tax liabilities to reflect the lower statutory rate. Our effective tax rate in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2018 also reflected application of the Tax Act’s lower federal statutory corporate tax rate to fiscal 2018 projected taxable income at the time. The accounting for the impacts of the Tax Act was complete as of November 30, 2018, and we have not recorded any material adjustments to the provisional amounts recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 related to the Tax Act.
The effective tax rate from continuing operations for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2019 was an expense of 26.0% and 22.8% , respectively, compared to an expense of 21.7% and 5.7% , respectively, for the comparable prior year periods. The effective tax rate from continuing operations for the first nine months of fiscal 2018 was lower than the federal statutory rate of 25.7% primarily due to the lower projected annual effective tax rate applied to quarterly results and discrete benefits recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 comprising $7 million resulting from enactment of the Tax Act and $7 million from the release of valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets.
We assess the realizability of our deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis through an analysis of potential sources of future taxable income, including prior year taxable income available to absorb a carryback of tax losses, reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, tax planning strategies, and forecasts of taxable income. We consider all negative and positive evidence, including the weight of the evidence, to determine if valuation allowances against deferred tax assets are required. As discussed above in this section, in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, we released valuation allowances against certain U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets resulting in a discrete tax benefit of $7 million. The release of these valuation allowances was the result of sufficient positive evidence at the time, including cumulative income in recent years and projections of future taxable income based primarily on our improved financial performance, that it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. We continue to maintain valuation allowances against certain U.S. federal, state, Canadian and all Puerto Rican deferred tax assets.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
We rely on cash provided by operating activities as a primary source of liquidity, supplemented by current cash on hand and borrowings under our existing credit facilities.

30

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

Sources and Uses of Cash
We had cash balances of $8 million and $5 million as of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , respectively. Cash balances are intended to be used primarily for working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases, investments and acquisitions. We use excess cash on hand to reduce amounts outstanding under our credit facilities. As of May 31, 2019 , debt was $142 million , compared to $107 million as of August 31, 2018 , and debt, net of cash, was $134 million , compared to $103 million as of August 31, 2018 (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this Item 2).
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 was $63 million , compared to $54 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2018 .
Sources of cash other than from earnings in the first nine  months of fiscal 2019 included a  $15 million  decrease in inventories due to lower raw material purchase prices and the timing of purchases and sales. Uses of cash in the first  nine  months of fiscal 2019 included a $25 million decrease in accrued payroll and related liabilities primarily due to incentive compensation payments in the first quarter, a  $19 million  decrease in accounts payable primarily due to lower raw material purchase prices and the timing of payments, and a $10 million increase in accounts receivable due to the timing of sales and collections.
Sources of cash other than from earnings in the first nine months of fiscal 2018 included a $26 million increase in accounts payable primarily due to higher raw material purchase prices and the timing of payments, and a $9 million increase in other accrued liabilities primarily due to higher legal accruals. Uses of cash in the first nine months of fiscal 2018 included a $62 million increase in accounts receivable primarily due to increases in recycled metal and finished steel selling prices and sales volumes, as well as the timing of sales and collections, a $58 million increase in inventories due to higher raw material purchase prices, higher volumes on hand and the timing of purchases and sales, and a $7 million increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets primarily due to the timing of insurance payments and recognition of a litigation settlement receivable.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $59 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 , compared to $45 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2018.
Cash used in investing activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 included capital expenditures of $61 million to upgrade our equipment and infrastructure and for additional investments in environmental-related assets, compared to $46 million in the prior year period.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 was less than $1 million, compared to $6 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2018 .
Uses of cash in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 and 2018 included $16 million for the payment of dividends and  $10 million  and $9 million , respectively, for share repurchases. Cash flows from financing activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 also included $34 million in net borrowings of debt, compared to $24 million in the prior year period (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this Item 2).
Debt
Our senior secured revolving credit facilities, which provide for revolving loans of $700 million and C $15 million , mature in August 2023 pursuant to a credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and other lenders party thereto. Interest rates on outstanding indebtedness under the credit agreement are based, at our option, on either the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), or the Canadian equivalent for C$ loans, plus a spread of between 1.25% and 2.75%, with the amount of the spread based on a pricing grid tied to our consolidated funded debt to EBITDA ratio, or the greater of (a) the prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, or (c) the daily rate equal to one-month LIBOR plus 1.75%, in each case plus a spread of between zero and 1.50% based on a pricing grid tied to our consolidated funded debt to EBITDA ratio. In addition, commitment fees are payable on the unused portion of the credit facilities at rates between 0.15% and 0.45% based on a pricing grid tied to our consolidated funded debt to EBITDA ratio.
We had borrowings outstanding under our credit facilities of $135 million as of May 31, 2019 and $100 million as of August 31, 2018 . The weighted average interest rate on amounts outstanding under our credit facilities was 4.00% and 3.57% as of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , respectively.

31

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

We use the credit facilities to fund working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases, investments and acquisitions. The credit agreement contains various representations and warranties, events of default and financial and other customary covenants which limit (subject to certain exceptions) our ability to, among other things, incur or suffer to exist certain liens, make investments, incur or guaranty additional indebtedness, enter into consolidations, mergers, acquisitions, and sales of assets, make distributions and other restricted payments, change the nature of our business, engage in transactions with affiliates and enter into restrictive agreements, including agreements that restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions. The financial covenants under the credit agreement include (a) a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, defined as the four-quarter rolling sum of consolidated adjusted EBITDA less defined maintenance capital expenditures and certain environmental expenditures divided by consolidated fixed charges and (b) a consolidated leverage ratio, defined as consolidated funded indebtedness divided by the sum of consolidated net worth and consolidated funded indebtedness.
As of May 31, 2019 , we were in compliance with the financial covenants under the credit agreement. The consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio was required to be no less than 1.50 to 1.00 and was 3.89 to 1.00 as of May 31, 2019 . The consolidated leverage ratio was required to be no more than 0.55 to 1.00 and was 0.18 to 1.00 as of May 31, 2019 .
Our obligations under the credit agreement are guaranteed by substantially all of our subsidiaries. The credit facilities and the related guarantees are secured by senior first priority liens on certain of our and our subsidiaries’ assets, including equipment, inventory and accounts receivable.
While we expect to remain in compliance with the financial covenants under the credit agreement, there can be no assurances that we will be able to do so in the event market conditions or other negative factors which adversely impact our results of operations and financial position lead to a trend of consolidated net losses. If we do not maintain compliance with our financial covenants and are unable to obtain an amendment or waiver from our lenders, a breach of a financial covenant would constitute an event of default and allow the lenders to exercise remedies under the agreements, the most severe of which is the termination of the credit facility under our committed bank credit agreement and acceleration of the amounts owed under the agreement. In such case, we would be required to evaluate available alternatives and take appropriate steps to obtain alternative funds. There can be no assurances that any such alternative funds, if sought, could be obtained or, if obtained, would be adequate or on acceptable terms.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures totaled $61 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2019 , compared to $46 million for the prior year period. We currently plan to invest up to $90 million in capital expenditures on equipment replacement and upgrades, environmental and safety-related projects, and growth investments in nonferrous technology in fiscal 2019 , using cash generated from operations and available credit facilities.
Environmental Compliance
Building on our commitment to recycling and operating our business in an environmentally responsible manner, we continue to invest in facilities that improve our environmental presence in the communities in which we operate. As part of our capital expenditures discussed in the prior paragraph, we invested $23 million in capital expenditures for environmental projects in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 , and plan to invest up to $35 million for such projects in fiscal 2019 . These projects include investments in storm water systems and equipment to ensure ongoing compliance with air quality and other environmental regulations.
We have been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as one of the potentially responsible parties that own or operate or formerly owned or operated sites which are part of or adjacent to the Portland Harbor Superfund site (the “Site”). See Note 5 - Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for a discussion of this matter, as well as other legacy environmental loss contingencies. We believe it is not possible to reasonably estimate the amount or range of costs which we are likely to or which it is reasonably possible that we will incur in connection with the Site, although such costs could be material to our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. We have insurance policies that we believe will provide reimbursement for costs we incur for defense (including pre-remedial design investigative activities), remedial design, remedial action and mitigation for natural resource damages claims in connection with the Site, although there are no assurances that those policies will cover all of the costs which we may incur. Significant cash outflows in the future related to the Site and other environmental matters could reduce the amounts available for borrowing that could otherwise be used for working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases, investments and acquisitions and could result in our failure to maintain compliance with certain covenants in our debt agreements, and could adversely impact our liquidity.
Dividends
On April 26, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a dividend for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 of $0.1875 per common share, which equates to an annual cash dividend of $0.75 per common share. The dividend was paid on May 28, 2019.

32

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

Share Repurchase Program
Pursuant to our amended share repurchase program, as of May 31, 2019 , we have existing authorization remaining under the program to repurchase up to approximately  0.9 million  shares of our Class A common stock when we deem such repurchases to be appropriate. We may repurchase our common stock for a variety of reasons, such as to optimize our capital structure and to offset dilution related to share-based compensation arrangements. We consider several factors in determining whether to make share repurchases including, among other things, our cash needs, the availability of funding, our future business plans and the market price of our stock. Prior to and as of the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2019 , we had repurchased approximately  8.1 million  shares of the shares authorized for repurchase under the program.
Assessment of Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, our available cash resources, internally generated funds, credit facilities and equity offerings have financed our acquisitions, capital expenditures, working capital and other financing needs.
We generally believe our current cash resources, internally generated funds, existing credit facilities and access to the capital markets will provide adequate short-term and long-term liquidity needs for working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases, investments and acquisitions, joint ventures, debt service requirements, environmental obligations and other contingencies. However, in the event of a sustained market deterioration, we may need additional liquidity, which would require us to evaluate available alternatives and take appropriate steps to obtain sufficient additional funds. There can be no assurances that any such supplemental funding, if sought, could be obtained or, if obtained, would be adequate or on acceptable terms.


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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
None requiring disclosure pursuant to Item 303 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Contractual Obligations
There were no material changes related to contractual obligations and commitments from the information provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 .
We maintain stand-by letters of credit to provide support for certain obligations, including workers’ compensation and performance bonds. As of May 31, 2019 , we had $10 million outstanding under these arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
There were no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates as described in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2018 , except for changes resulting from adoption of the new revenue accounting standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Refer to Note 7 - Revenue in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for the disclosures required under the new revenue accounting standard.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For a description of recent accounting pronouncements that may have an impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, see Note 2 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report.


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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Debt, net of cash
Debt, net of cash is the difference between (i) the sum of long-term debt and short-term borrowings (i.e., total debt) and (ii) cash and cash equivalents. We believe that debt, net of cash is a useful measure for investors because, as cash and cash equivalents can be used, among other things, to repay indebtedness, netting this against total debt is a useful measure of our leverage.
The following is a reconciliation of debt, net of cash (in thousands):
 
May 31, 2019
 
August 31, 2018
Short-term borrowings
$
1,234

 
$
1,139

Long-term debt, net of current maturities
140,895

 
106,237

Total debt
142,129

 
107,376

Less cash and cash equivalents
8,119

 
4,723

Total debt, net of cash
$
134,010

 
$
102,653

Net borrowings (repayments) of debt
Net borrowings (repayments) of debt is the sum of borrowings from long-term debt and repayments of long-term debt. We present this amount as the net change in borrowings (repayments) for the period because we believe it is useful to investors as a meaningful presentation of the change in debt.
The following is a reconciliation of net borrowings (repayments) of debt (in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Borrowings from long-term debt
$
316,676

 
$
426,480

Repayments of long-term debt
(282,932
)
 
(402,153
)
Net borrowings of debt
$
33,744

 
$
24,327

Adjusted consolidated operating income, adjusted AMR operating income, adjusted CSS operating income, adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to SSI, and adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI
Management believes that providing these non-GAAP financial measures adds a meaningful presentation of our results from business operations excluding adjustments for a charge related to the settlement of a wage and hour class action lawsuit, asset impairment charges net of recoveries, restructuring charges and other exit-related activities, recoveries related to the resale or modification of previously contracted shipments, and the income tax expense (benefit) allocated to these adjustments, items which are not related to underlying business operational performance, and improves the period-to-period comparability of our results from business operations. Adjusted operating results in fiscal 2015 excluded the impact from the resale or modification of the terms, each at significantly lower prices due to sharp declines in selling prices, of certain previously contracted bulk shipments for delivery during fiscal 2015. Recoveries resulting from settlements with the original contract parties, which began in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 and concluded in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, are reported within SG&A expense in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and are also excluded from the measures for the relevant periods.

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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

The following is a reconciliation of adjusted consolidated operating income, adjusted AMR operating income, adjusted CSS operating income, adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to SSI, and adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI (in thousands, except per share data):
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Consolidated operating income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As reported
$
24,459

 
$
51,234

 
$
66,184

 
$
111,015

Charge related to the settlement of a wage and hour class action lawsuit
2,330

 

 
2,330

 

Asset impairment charges (recoveries), net

 
(1,465
)
 
63

 
(1,553
)
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities
75

 
70

 
813

 
261

Recoveries related to the resale or modification of previously contracted shipments

 

 

 
(417
)
Adjusted
$
26,864

 
$
49,839

 
$
69,390

 
$
109,306

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AMR operating income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As reported
$
29,189

 
$
54,980

 
$
73,947

 
$
135,284

Asset impairment charges (recoveries), net

 
(1,465
)
 
63

 
(1,465
)
Recoveries related to the resale or modification of previously contracted shipments

 

 

 
(417
)
Adjusted
$
29,189

 
$
53,515

 
$
74,010

 
$
133,402

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CSS operating income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As reported
$
8,116

 
$
10,793

 
$
25,802

 
$
24,682

Asset impairment charges (recoveries), net

 

 

 
(88
)
Adjusted
$
8,116

 
$
10,793

 
$
25,802

 
$
24,594

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income from continuing operations attributable to SSI:
 
 
 
 
 
 
As reported
$
15,682

 
$
37,458

 
$
44,972

 
$
96,709

Charge related to the settlement of a wage and hour class action lawsuit
2,330

 

 
2,330

 

Asset impairment charges (recoveries), net

 
(1,465
)
 
63

 
(1,553
)
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities
75

 
70

 
813

 
261

Recoveries related to the resale or modification of previously contracted shipments

 

 

 
(417
)
Income tax expense (benefit) allocated to adjustments (1)
(515
)
 
86

 
(689
)
 
176

Adjusted
$
17,572

 
$
36,149

 
$
47,489

 
$
95,176

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI:
 
 
 
 
As reported
$
0.56

 
$
1.31

 
$
1.60

 
$
3.38

Charge related to the settlement of a wage and hour class action lawsuit, per share
0.08

 

 
0.08

 

Asset impairment charges (recoveries), net, per share

 
(0.05
)
 

 
(0.05
)
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities, per share

 

 
0.03

 
0.01

Recoveries related to the resale or modification of previously contracted shipments, per share

 

 

 
(0.01
)
Income tax expense (benefit) allocated to adjustments, per share (1)
(0.02
)
 

 
(0.02
)
 
0.01

Adjusted (2)
$
0.63

 
$
1.26

 
$
1.68

 
$
3.32

(1)
Income tax allocated to the aggregate adjustments reconciling reported and adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to SSI and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI is determined based on a tax provision calculated with and without the adjustments.
(2)
May not foot due to rounding.

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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures allow for a better understanding of our operating and financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures. Although we find these non-GAAP financial measures useful in evaluating the performance of our business, our reliance on these measures is limited because the adjustments often have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP. Therefore, we typically use these adjusted amounts in conjunction with our GAAP results to address these limitations.


37

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Commodity Price Risk
We are exposed to commodity price risk, mainly associated with variations in the market price for ferrous and nonferrous metals, including scrap metal, finished steel products, autobodies and other commodities. The timing and magnitude of industry cycles are difficult to predict and are impacted by general economic conditions. We respond to increases and decreases in forward selling prices by adjusting purchase prices. We actively manage our exposure to commodity price risk and monitor the actual and expected spread between forward selling prices and purchase costs and processing and shipping expense. Sales contracts are based on prices negotiated with our customers, and generally orders are placed 30 to 60 days ahead of the shipment date. However, financial results may be negatively impacted when forward selling prices fall more quickly than we can adjust purchase prices or when customers fail to meet their contractual obligations. We assess the net realizable value of inventory (“NRV”) each quarter based upon contracted sales orders and estimated future selling prices. Based on contracted sales and estimates of future selling prices, a 10% decrease in the selling price of inventory would not have had a material NRV impact on any of our reportable segments as of May 31, 2019 .
Interest Rate Risk
There have been no material changes to our disclosure regarding interest rate risk set forth in Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2018 .
Credit Risk
As of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , 43% and 33% , respectively, of our accounts receivable balance was covered by letters of credit. Of the remaining balance, 98% and 99% , respectively, was less than 60 days past due.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk, mainly associated with sales transactions and related accounts receivable denominated in the U.S. Dollar by our Canadian subsidiary with a functional currency of the Canadian Dollar. In certain instances, we may use derivatives to manage some portion of this risk. As of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , we did not have any derivative contracts.


38

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Our management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has completed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of May 31, 2019 , our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


39

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Information regarding reportable legal proceedings is contained in Part I, “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 , and Part II, “Item 1. Legal Proceedings” of subsequently issued Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Also see Note 5 - Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item I, incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes to our risk factors reported or new factors identified since the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2018 , except for the changes disclosed in the subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended November 30, 2018, and the following:
Potential costs related to the environmental cleanup of Portland Harbor may be material to our financial position and liquidity
In December 2000, we were notified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) that we are one of the potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) that owns or operates or formerly owned or operated sites which are part of or adjacent to the Portland Harbor Superfund site (the “Site”). The precise nature and extent of cleanup of any specific areas within the Site, the parties to be involved, the timing of any specific remedial action and the allocation of the costs for any cleanup among responsible parties have not yet been determined. The process of site investigation, remedy selection, identification of additional PRPs and allocation of costs has been underway for a number of years, but significant uncertainties remain. It is unclear to what extent we will be liable for environmental costs or natural resource damage claims or third party contribution or damage claims with respect to the Site.
While we participated in certain preliminary Site study efforts, we were not party to the consent order entered into by the EPA with certain other PRPs, referred to as the “Lower Willamette Group” (“LWG”), for a remedial investigation/feasibility study (“RI/FS”). During fiscal 2007, we and certain other parties agreed to an interim settlement with the LWG under which we made a cash contribution to the LWG RI/FS. The LWG has indicated that it had incurred over $115 million  in investigation-related costs over an approximately 10 year period working on the RI/FS. Following submittal of draft RI and FS documents which the EPA largely rejected, the EPA took over the RI/FS process.
We have joined with approximately 100 other PRPs, including the LWG members, in a voluntary process to establish an allocation of costs at the Site, including the costs incurred by the LWG in the RI/FS process. The LWG members have also commenced federal court litigation, which has been stayed, seeking to bring additional parties into the allocation process.
In January 2008, the Portland Harbor Natural Resource Trustee Council (“Trustee Council”) invited us and other PRPs to participate in funding and implementing the Natural Resource Injury Assessment for the Site. Following meetings among the Trustee Council and the PRPs, funding and participation agreements were negotiated under which the participating PRPs, including us, agreed to fund the first phase of the three-phase natural resource damage assessment. Phase 1, which included the development of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Plan (“AP”) and implementation of several early studies, was substantially completed in 2010. In December 2017, we joined with other participating PRPs in agreeing to fund Phase 2 of the natural resource damage assessment, which includes the implementation of the AP to develop information sufficient to facilitate early settlements between the Trustee Council and Phase 2 participants and the identification of restoration projects to be funded by the settlements. In late May 2018, the Trustee Council published notice of its intent to proceed with Phase 3, which will involve the full implementation of the AP and the final injury and damage determination. We are proceeding with the process established by the Trustee Council regarding early settlements under Phase 2. It is uncertain whether we will enter into an early settlement for natural resource damages or what costs we may incur in any such early settlement.
On January 30, 2017, one of the Trustees, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, which withdrew from the council in 2009, filed a suit against approximately 30 parties, including us, seeking reimbursement of certain past and future response costs in connection with remedial action at the Site and recovery of assessment costs related to natural resources damages from releases at and from the Site to the Multnomah Channel and the Lower Columbia River. The parties have filed various motions to dismiss or stay this suit, which motions are pending. We intend to defend against the claims in this suit and do not have sufficient information to determine the likelihood of a loss in this matter or to estimate the amount of damages being sought or the amount of such damages that could be allocated to us.
Estimates of the cost of remedial action for the cleanup of the in-river portion of the Site have varied widely in various drafts of the FS and in the EPA’s final FS issued in June 2016 ranging from approximately $170 million  to over  $2.5 billion  (net present value), depending on the remedial alternative and a number of other factors. In comments submitted to the EPA, we and certain

40

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

other stakeholders identified a number of serious concerns regarding the EPA’s risk and remedial alternatives assessments, cost estimates, scheduling assumptions and conclusions regarding the feasibility and effectiveness of remediation technologies.
In January 2017, the EPA issued a Record of Decision (“ROD”) that identified the selected remedy for the Site. The selected remedy is a modified version of one of the alternative remedies evaluated in the EPA’s FS that was expanded to include additional work at a greater cost. The EPA has estimated the total cost of the selected remedy at $1.7 billion with a net present value cost of $1.05 billion (at a 7% discount rate) and an estimated construction period of 13 years following completion of the remedial designs. In the ROD, the EPA stated that the cost estimate is an order-of-magnitude engineering estimate that is expected to be within + 50% to -30% of the actual project cost and that changes in the cost elements are likely to occur as a result of new information and data collected during the engineering design. We have identified a number of concerns regarding the remedy described in the ROD, which is based on data that is more than a decade old, and the EPA’s estimates for the costs and time required to implement the selected remedy. Because of ongoing questions regarding cost effectiveness, technical feasibility, and the use of stale data, it is uncertain whether the ROD will be implemented as issued. In addition, the ROD did not determine or allocate the responsibility for remediation costs among the PRPs.
In the ROD, the EPA acknowledged that much of the data used in preparing the ROD was more than a decade old and would need to be updated with a new round of “baseline” sampling to be conducted prior to the remedial design phase. Accordingly, the ROD provided for additional pre-remedial design investigative work and baseline sampling to be conducted in order to provide a baseline of current conditions and delineate particular remedial actions for specific areas within the Site. This additional sampling needs to occur prior to proceeding with the next phase in the process which is the remedial design. The remedial design phase is an engineering phase during which additional technical information and data will be collected, identified and incorporated into technical drawings and specifications developed for the subsequent remedial action. Moreover, the ROD provided only Site-wide cost estimates and did not provide sufficient detail to estimate costs for specific sediment management areas within the Site. Following issuance of the ROD, EPA proposed that the PRPs, or a subgroup of PRPs, perform the additional investigative work identified in the ROD under a new consent order.
In December 2017, we and three other PRPs entered into a new Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent with EPA to perform such pre-remedial design investigation and baseline sampling over a two year period. We estimated that our share of the costs of performing such work would be approximately $2 million , which we recorded to environmental liabilities and selling, general and administrative expense in the consolidated financial statements in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. We believe that such costs will be fully covered by existing insurance coverage and, thus, also recorded an insurance receivable for $2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, resulting in no net impact to our consolidated results of operations in that period. As of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 , our loss contingencies include $1 million and $2 million , respectively, for our estimated share of the costs of the investigation, including pre-remedial design investigative activities.
The pre-remedial design investigation and baseline sampling work has been completed, and the report evaluating the data was submitted to EPA on June 17, 2019. The evaluation report concludes that Site conditions have improved substantially since the data forming the basis of the ROD was collected over a decade ago. The analysis contained in the report has significant implications for remedial design and remedial action at the Site. The report is subject to review and comment by EPA.
EPA has stated that it wants PRPs to step forward (individually or in groups) to enter into consent agreements to perform remedial design covering the entire Site and has proposed dividing the Site into eight to ten subareas for remedial design. EPA has indicated that it may pursue enforcement or other actions against PRPs in areas where good-faith negotiations to perform remedial design are not underway by June 30, 2019. We are engaged in good-faith negotiations with EPA with respect to potentially performing remedial design; but it is unclear whether we will reach agreement with EPA, and the timing for completion of remedial design is uncertain.
Except for certain early action projects in which we are not involved, remediation activities are not expected to commence for a number of years. In addition, as discussed above, responsibility for implementing and funding the remedy will be determined in a separate allocation process. We do not expect the next major stage of the allocation process to proceed until early 2020.
Because there has not been a determination of the specific remediation actions that will be required, the amount of natural resource damages or the allocation of costs of the investigations and any remedy and natural resource damages among the PRPs, we believe it is not possible to reasonably estimate the amount or range of costs which we are likely to or which it is reasonably possible that we will incur in connection with the Site, although such costs could be material to our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. Among the facts currently being developed are detailed information on the history of ownership of and the nature of the uses of and activities and operations performed on each property within the Site, which are factors that will play a substantial role in determining the allocation of investigation and remedy costs among the PRPs. We have insurance policies that we believe will provide reimbursement for costs we incur for defense (including the pre-remedial design investigative activities), remedial design, remedial action and mitigation for natural resource damages claims in connection with the Site,

41

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

although there is no assurance that those policies will cover all of the costs which we may incur. Significant cash outflows in the future related to the Site could reduce the amount of our borrowing capacity that could otherwise be used for investment in capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases and acquisitions. Any material liabilities incurred in the future related to the Site could result in our failure to maintain compliance with certain covenants in our debt agreements. See “Contingencies – Environmental” in Note 5 – Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

Changing conditions in global markets including the impact of tariffs, quotas and other trade actions may adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations
We generate a substantial portion of our revenues from sales to customers located outside the U.S., including countries in Asia, the Mediterranean region and North, Central and South America. In each of the last three years, exports comprised approximately 70 percent of AMR’s ferrous sales volumes and 60 percent of AMR’s nonferrous sales volumes. Further, in certain recent years, total sales to customers in each of China and Turkey exceeded 10 percent of our consolidated revenues in that year. Our ability to sell our products profitably, or at all, into international markets is subject to a number of risks including adverse impacts of political, economic, military, terrorist or major pandemic events; labor and social issues; legal and regulatory requirements or limitations imposed by foreign governments including quotas, tariffs or other protectionist trade barriers, adverse tax law changes, nationalization, currency restrictions, or import restrictions for certain types of products we export; and disruptions or delays in shipments caused by customs compliance or other actions of government agencies. The occurrence of such events and conditions may adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations.
For example, in fiscal 2017, regulators in China began implementing the National Sword initiative involving inspections of Chinese industrial enterprises, including recyclers, in order to identify rules violations with respect to discharge of pollutants or illegally transferred scrap imports. Restrictions resulting from the National Sword initiative include a ban on certain imported recycled products, lower contamination limits for permitted recycled materials, and more comprehensive pre- and post-shipment inspection requirements. Disruptions in pre-inspection certifications and stringent inspection procedures at certain Chinese destination ports have limited access to these destinations and resulted in the renegotiation or cancellation of certain nonferrous customer contracts in connection with the redirection of such shipments to alternate destinations. Further, the Chinese government has announced that effective July 1, 2019, the import of certain scrap products, including certain nonferrous products we sell, will be subject to import licenses and quotas, and that additional product quality requirements may be issued in the future. We believe that the potential impact on our recycling operations of the Chinese regulatory actions described above could include requirements that would necessitate additional processing of certain nonferrous recycled scrap metal products, increased inspection and certification activities with respect to exports to China, or a change in the use of our sales channels in the event of delays in the issuance of licenses, restrictive quotas or an outright ban on certain or all of our recycled metals products by China. As regulatory developments progress, we may need to make further investments in nonferrous processing equipment where economically justified, incur additional costs in order to comply with new inspection requirements, or seek alternative markets for the impacted products, which may result in lower sales prices or higher costs and may adversely impact our business or results of operations.
In March 2018, the U.S. imposed a 25 percent tariff on certain imported steel products and a 10 percent tariff on certain imported aluminum products under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. These new tariffs, along with other U.S. trade actions, have triggered retaliatory actions by certain affected countries, and other foreign governments have initiated or are considering imposing trade measures on other U.S. goods. For example, China has imposed a series of retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. products, including a 25 percent tariff on all grades of U.S. scrap and an additional 25 percent tariff on U.S. aluminum scrap. These tariffs and other trade actions could result in a decrease in international steel demand and negatively impact demand for our products, which would adversely impact our business. Given the uncertainty regarding the scope and duration of these trade actions by the U.S. or other countries, the impact of the trade actions on our operations or results remains uncertain.



42

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number
 
Exhibit Description
 
 
 
31.1
 
 
 
 
31.2
 
 
 
 
32.1
 
 
 
 
32.2
 
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.



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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
Date:
June 26, 2019
By:
/s/ Tamara L. Lundgren
 
 
 
Tamara L. Lundgren
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
Date:
June 26, 2019
By:
/s/ Richard D. Peach
 
 
 
Richard D. Peach
 
 
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief of Corporate Operations

44
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